INDONESIA MARKET FIRE KILLS 11

A fire that swept through a market area in Central Papua, Indonesia, has killed 11 people, including six children.

The fire broke out around 12:25 a.m. on Monday in Kampung Bapouda, Paniai Timur, and quickly spread through nearby houses and shops. Police said about 40 buildings were destroyed in the blaze.

Five adults and six children were among those who died. The children were between two and nine years old, according to authorities.

Police deployed a water-cannon vehicle to support firefighting efforts, with the fire brought under control at about 3:30 a.m. Officers later searched the affected buildings and recovered the victims, who were taken to Paniai Regional Hospital.

Authorities said the closely packed houses and market stalls made it difficult to contain the fire quickly and contributed to its rapid spread.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established. Police are questioning witnesses and examining the scene as part of an investigation into what started the blaze.

The incident has renewed concerns about fire safety in densely populated market areas, where closely positioned structures can allow fires to spread rapidly.