JAKARTA, Oct 20: The giant dome of the Grand Mosque at the Islamic Centre in
Jakarta collapsed on Wednesday morning after a major fire broke out in the structure
which was under renovation. No casualty has been reported. All the people inside
were evacuated from the mosque. The Islamic Centre is located in the north of
the Indonesian Capital Jakarta.
Social media videos showed flames and smoke billowing from the mosque just
before the dome collapsed.
Four labourers who were engaged in repairs have been taken into custody by
the police for questioning. "We have evacuated all the people (from the mosque).
Thank God, there is no victim from this incident," North Jakarta police chief
Kombes Wibowo told reporters.
The police said forensic experts are being summoned to help in the investigation.
The Islamic Centre complex also included commercial, research and educational
facilities in addition to the mosque.
Ten fire engines were deployed to put out the fire that occurred at 3 am local
time Wednesday. The cause of fire is not known.
There was a similar fire in October 2002 when the mosque likewise was under
repairs. That fire caused by short circuit was much bigger and took several
hours to be extinguished.
