Indonesia probes karaoke bar blaze

Indonesian authorities on Monday launched a probe into a fire at a karaoke lounge in Manado, provincial capital of North Sulawesi province, that killed 12 people.

National police chief General Badrodin Haiti said that he has ordered local police to probe the incident, Xinhua news agency reported.

"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 Badrodin said.

The fire started on the second floor of a building on Boulevard Street at about 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Most of the victims were trapped on the third floor and some on the second floor.

 

As many as 73 people were injured.

The casualties were caused by smoke inhalation, the police chief added.