Indonesia probes deadly fire at karaoke bar

Indonesian police is investigating into a fire at a karaoke lounge in Manado, provincial capital of North Sulawesi in eastern part of Indonesia earlier Sunday that killed 12 people.

National police chief General Badrodin Haiti said on Monday that he has ordered local police to probe the incident.

"I have asked North Sulawesi provincial police to investigate the incident to determine whether there was any negligence by the management of the building," General Badroidin said at police academy.

The fire started at the second floor of a building in Boulevard Street at about 1: 00 p.m. local time, Head of the Local Disaster Management Agency Max Tatahede has told Xinhua by phone.

But the fire appeared before down and most of the victims were trapped at the third floor and some others were at the second floors, he said.

Mr. Badrodin said that the investigation would find out whether there was any possible negligence of the management of the building in Boulevard Street.

"Should there was a negligence, it will be brought to judiciary," he stressed.

As many as 73 people were injured at the fire, according to Mr. Tatahede.

The casualty was caused by smoke inhalation, he said.

The wounded have been rushed to nearby hospitals, Tatahede said. Enditem