Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Jakarta’s Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reports, the massive fire swept through a densely populated neighborhood in Kemayoran, on Tuesday (December 10), has destroyed 200 homes and displacing 1,800 residents.
The fire broke out around midday near Pasar H Jiung, in Kebon Kosong streets, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. The tightly packed housing allowed the flames to spread rapidly, engulfing homes across the neighborhood.
According to Detik, Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Chief Isnawa Adji reported that the fire affected approximately 200 semi-permanent homes. “The incident impacted around 600 households, or 1,800 people, spanning eight neighborhood units (RTs) in one community association (RW),” Isnawa said on Wednesday (December 11, 2024).
Isnawa detailed that the victims including 125 toddlers, 525 elderly individuals, 700 adults, and hundreds of school-aged children. The displaced residents have been relocated to three temporary shelters: SDN 09 Kebon Kosong elementary school, Al-Ihsan Mosque, and the Jusuf Hamka field.
While no fatalities were reported form the incident, 13 people sustained injuries and have received medical treatment at local hospitals.
BPBD in coordination with stakeholders, is currently ensuring the distribution of aid to evacuees. “we continues coordinating with local agencies and organizations to ensure the needs of the evacuees are met, including food supplies, sanitation, temporary housing, healthcare and others necessity,” Isnawa added.
The Fire’s Origin
The fire was first reported to authorities at 12:25 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Subadi, an official from Jakarta’s Central Fire and Rescue Department, said the blaze originated from a house belonging to a resident who collects plastic recyclables. The homeowner, who was asleep at the time, awoke to find the house engulfed in flames.
Massive Fire Engulfs Residential Area in Pasar Jiung, Central Jakarta
Kemayoran Police Chief Agung Ardiansyah said the fire is believed to have been caused by a gas leak, though investigations are ongoing. “We suspect it was a gas leak, but we are still investigating to confirm the exact cause,” Agung said on Wednesday.
Emergency crews dispatched 32 fire trucks and 128 personnel to the scene at 12:33 p.m. After hours of battling the blaze, firefighters managed to bring the fire under control around 3:00 p.m., and fully extinguishing it by 5:00 p.m.
The incident highlights the challenges of fire management in Jakarta’s densely populated areas, where informal settlements remain highly vulnerable to such disasters.
(Raidi/Agung)
