Fire, clash kill 19 in Indonesia nightclub

Jakarta: At least 19 people have died after a karaoke bar in Indonesia's West Papua was set ablaze following a brawl between rival gangs of youths in the area, police said on Tuesday. 

As per an official, a person was fatally stabbed in the fight early on Tuesday before the venue was set on fire with 18 people trapped inside, 

"Fights among youths in cities are normal, but that it has caused so many deaths, that is a first," Adam Erwini, a spokesman for West Papua police, told Metro TV.

The police stated that the deadly incident at the entertainment venue is still under investigation, and it was unclear if the death toll would rise. 

Separately, Dedi Prasetyo, a spokesman for Indonesia's national police said the clash was between two rival gangs from the neighbouring island of Maluku.