Jakarta office fire kills at least 20

JAKARTA, Dec 09 (Reuters): A fire at an office building in Jakarta has killed at least 20 people as authorities continue to search for casualties.

The blaze at the seven-storey site in the Indonesian capital started on Tuesday afternoon, according to city police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro, who said some workers were having lunch at the time.

Police believe the fire began after a battery exploded on the first floor before the flames spread upwards. A company which makes drones is based in the building.

The police chief said 15 women and five men had perished and it was likely that they had died of asphyxiation from smoke rather than burns.

The fire has been extinguished and rescue teams are still working.