Buddhist temple in Bandung was on fire on the morning of the Chinese New Year

News24xx.com - Samudra Bhakti temple in Bandung, West Java was on fire during the ceremony to celebrate Chinese New Year, on Tuesday morning. There was no report of casualties.

The head of Bandung Fire and Rescue Agency, Ferdi  Ligaswara said that the fire might have been caused by the lit prayer candles inside the temple. The candles were blown by strong winds, causing the fire to spread to other parts of the building. It became worse due to the fuel placed on the prayer altar.

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“We had to deploy 16 fire trucks to extinguish the fire,” Ferdy said, as cited from Jakarta Post.

Agung Budi Maryoto from West Java Police said the fire had spread so quickly because the building was mostly made of wood. One of the witnesses, Feri Lee, said that the wind had caused the fire to spread fast. The police ordered the visitors to stay in the front yard of the temple.

Samudra Bhakti temple was first established in 1855. Back then, it was a Chinese temple called Hiap Thian Kong. It was later turned into Buddhist temple in 1960s.

News24xx.com/fik/red