[sleelverrex]

A 9-year-old girl was killed in a massive fire that razed at least 50 semi-permanent homes in Kampung Seraya subdistrict, Batam, Riau Islands, at around 7 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

The fire originated from a house which was allegedly set on fire by an angry Singaporean citizen.

Bystanders said the fire began in a house owned by Alex, alias Iril, which was located in the middle of the squatter area. The fire spread to other houses located in two neighborhood units. Most of the residents were asleep when the fire broke out.

Besides material loss, a 9-year-old girl named Stella was killed after she became trapped in her room.

Local neighborhood unit head Yance Sila said that the fire originated from Iril's house and quickly spread to other houses, as they were located very close to each other.

Based on preliminary data, more than 50 homes were razed. Many motorcycles were also burned in the fire.

"We are not yet aware of the cause of the fire, as it is still being investigated by police," said Yance. He added that many houses were destroyed by the fire due to the slow response from firefighters.

Iril, 40, brother-in-law of Gerri bin Kasan, 45, a Singaporean citizen who married his sister Surti, said at the fire scene that Gerri had been quarreling with his wife since arriving in Batam. Gerri often visited his wife in Batam and stayed in Iril's house in Kampung Seraya, Batam.

According to Iril, Gerri and his sister got married even though Gerri also had a family in Singapore. Every time he visited Batam, he stayed at Iril's house, or in a budget hotel.

"My sister went out without Gerri's knowledge, so he became enraged. He was very angry and probably set fire to the house as I was sleeping, despite the fact that we had a drink last night. He often causes trouble whenever he drinks," said Iril.

Meanwhile, Gerri, accompanied by his lawyer, surrendered himself to the Batu Ampar Police.

He acknowledged that he burned a pair of shoes at his brother-in-law's house.

He said he was quarreling with his wife because she did not return home for two days.

"I only burned a pair of shoes, I didn't realise it could cause a big fire," Gerri added.

[sleelverrex]

Gerri Kasan, the Singaporean citizen who allegedly started a fire in a housing complex in Batam, Riau Islands, may be sentenced to life imprisonment, the police have said.

Batam Police violent crimes unit chief First Insp. Chrismant Panjaitan said on Wednesday that Gerri, who surrendered at the Batu Ampar precinct after the fire, was charged with reckless arson under Article 187 of the Criminal Code.

"Considering the fatality and the material losses, he may face a life sentence," Chrismant said.


The Tuesday morning fire destroyed 50 semi-permanent houses in Kampung Seraya and killed a 9-year-old girl.

The 45-year-old man admitted that he deliberately set fire to a pair of shoes owned by his brother-in-law Alex following a fight with his wife.

"I was quarreling with my wife because she did not return home for two days," Gerri, a construction worker, said. "I only burned a pair of shoes. I didn't realize it could cause a big fire."

The fire has left 200 victims homeless who are currently staying in a nearby temporary shelter. The Batam city administration has promised to provide meals for the victims for the next three days.

[BEyng6hj]

Is it just me or do the pic in the papers looks like an oil painting?