Swallow factory lacks fire safety standard: agency

The city firefighter agency said that the lack of fire safety standard ensured the fire at Swallow sandal factory in West Jakarta became a fatal incident.

Agency head Paimin Napitupulu said among the indications were the absence of emergency exits and sufficient fire extinguishers.

"It is clear that the building failed to meet minimum fire safety standards," Paimin told reporters.

The fire broke out at the factory where 200 workers were working on Thursday afternoon killing at least four.

As of Monday, the agency still could not extinguish the fire, which it claimed as "the most difficult blaze it had handled in 91 years" because chemical substance spillage under iron rubble could ignite another fire.

The police said they would start a "scientific investigation" after the fire was extinguished.