Massive Fire Destroys 48 Shop Houses in West Kalimantan Market

A devastating fire swept through the Sungai Duri Market in Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, on Thursday evening, engulfing 48 shop houses. The blaze, which began around 6:15 PM local time, raged for hours, with firefighters continuing to battle the flames and work on cooling the area until approximately 10 PM.

While the exact cause of the inferno remains under investigation, initial suspicions point to a fire that originated in one of the shop houses located in the central section of the market's row of buildings. The rapid spread of the fire suggests it quickly consumed the interconnected structures, leading to the extensive damage.

Emergency services were on the scene, working diligently to contain the fire and prevent further escalation. The full extent of the damage and the impact on the local community are still being assessed as the cooling process concludes. Authorities are expected to launch a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the definitive cause.