Nearly 100 homes have been destroyed after a gossiping villager allegedly forgot to turn off her stove and sparked a huge blaze.

The incident took place at a housing complex in the city of Makassar in the Indonesian province of South Sulawesi on 11th August.

According to R2 TV, approximately 95 homes were destroyed or badly damaged in the fire, which took place after a gas blast in the kitchen of one home.

A spokesperson for the Makassar City Fire Department said 22 fire engines and 95 firefighters were sent to the scene, adding that the flames were finally put out at around 12.30pm.

However, the damage had already been done and most homes in the complex had been consumed by the blaze.

One resident claimed the blast was started by a woman who left her stove on while gossiping with a pal.

The villager told local media: “This is down to the negligence of an old woman who was cooking and gossiping with her neighbour.”

During the blaze, residents had to flee the complex and reportedly took refuge in a nearby mosque.

Some villagers were seen dashing back to their burning homes to retrieve valuable belongings, however, no one was reported as injured in the incident.

Meanwhile, the city social services are providing food and blankets to the affected residents.

The local authorities have yet to confirm if they are investigating the cause of the fire.