MANADO , Indonesia, Oct. 25 (UPI) — Up to 17 people died and more than 70 were injured in a fire that raced through a crowded karaoke bar early Sunday.
The fire started about 1 a.m. on the second floor of the three-story Inul Vizta karaoke club in downtown Manado, on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island. Hundreds of people were in private rooms when the fire tore through the building. Panicked people smashed through windows to escape the flames while others were stuck in the building. There was only one door to access the building.
Police Chief Col. Rio Permana said workers were unable to douse the blaze with fire extinguishers. Witnesses complained it took fire engines an hour to arrive.
“We are still investigating the cause of fire,” Permana said, adding a preliminary investigation indicated an electrical problem.
Investigators said many of the victims died as a result of smoke inhalation.
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