Jakarta – Muara Baru residents have been soaking up oil spills following a fire that destroyed 34 vessels on the coast of North Jakarta.
According to kompas.com, eight residents soaked up the oil using pieces of cloth or foam tied to a rope. They then squeezed the oil into jerry cans. A resident, Refi, said they had collected filters so the oil could be recycled. "This will be recycled later," he said on Sunday evening.
Refi said he had been hunting for oil spills since Sunday morning after the fire on Saturday. "I have three jerry cans [of oil] already," he said. Besides earning money, Refi said residents were soaking up oil spills to help clean the water.
Saturday's fire was allegedly caused by a welding spark on the Artamina Jaya vessel. North Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency head Satriadi Gunawan said it took more than 14 hours to extinguish the fire.
Three people were admitted to the Atma Jaya Hospital for smoke inhalation. They were two employees from a factory located near the scene and a fire rescue officer. Police are questioning seven eyewitnesses, including the captain and crew members. (ggq)