Jakarta – Fire raged in Kuala Kapuas, the capital of Kapuas regency in Central Kalimantan, turning the town into a sea of fire all day long Tuesday.

Native Dayaks set fire on the houses and properties belonging to Madurese. As the fire was raging, thousands of Dayaks staged a rally demanding the release of five people caught red-handed setting fire on Madurese properties last week.

Tuesday's fire destroyed houses deserted by their Madurese owners, who fled the town and the Dayaks following a clash on March 22 that killed at least 17 people.

Tension returned to the town and residents were seen guarding their neighborhoods on Tuesday night to prevent the destruction of non-Madurese properties. Despite the efforts, a house and a store belonging to non-Madurese settlers were also set ablaze, Antara reported.

The protesting Dayaks rallied in front of the locallegislature building and at the Kapuas Police Precinct. At around 8:25 p.m. the protesters dispersed after the police released the five suspects.