KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — An Indonesian couple caused a fire at a national park following a pre-wedding shoot when they used flares for added effect.
The couple — Hendra Purnama and Pratiwi Mandala Putri — had taken the photographs at Bukit Teletubbies, Gunung Bromo in East Java but a malfunctioning flare caused a fire at the grassland covering 50 hectares that burned for five days, Tribun News reported.
The fire, which spread to Desa Ngadas in the Malang district, also led to the closure of tourist attractions in the area.
“Besides the closure of tourist attractions, the Malang-Lumajang-Malang road was also closed.”
“All roads leading to tourist attractions at Bromo and Ranu Regulo were also closed,” authorities said, adding that the closure was to allow firefighting efforts and for the people’s safety.
Probolinggo Resort district police chief Wisnu Wardana said they were informed of the matter last Wednesday.
They also named the manager of the company involved in the photo shoot as a suspect in the incident.