REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The main building of the State Secretariat caught fire 5 pm on Thursday. Almost all parts of the main building, which sits side-by-side with the State Palace, were burned down. The fire flame almost licked the roof of the building.
The fire took place when President Susilo Yudhoyono was holding a limited cabinet meeting. Accompanied by some mministers, the president stopped the meeting and directly inspected the location. The first lady Any Yudhoyono also came out from her office to see the fire on the scene. At least five fire trucks continued to work hard to put out the fire and until 6 pm, they were still struggling to extinguish the fire.
According to the head of firefighter of Central Jakarta, Ahmad Madani, fire was caused by short circuit. Some witness said that the fire started on the third floor.