A massive fire broke out at a house in a densely populated area in Matraman district, East Jakarta at dawn today, killing at least 10 people.
The house, which was split into four units and leased to different families, was located at the end of a dead end alley. Authorities estimated that 90 percent of the premise was destroyed in the fire.
Matraman Police Chief Tedjo Asmoro said today that the 10 victims were from units 1 and 3, who were asleep when the fire broke out. Meanwhile, six occupants from units 2 and 4 had woken up in time to escape the fire.
The youngest victim that authorities have managed to identify was 1.5 years old.
Gatot Sulaeman, spokesman of East Jakarta’s Fire and Rescue Station said it took firemen about an hour to extinguish the fire, which broke out at 04:50am. Gatot suspects that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.
It is estimated that the fire had caused a loss of up to IDR800 million (US$55,401). East Jakarta Mayor M. Anwar said that the municipality will assist with the funerals of the 10 victims.
“The deceased victims’ bodies are currently at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM). We will take care of their funerals,” East Jakarta Mayor M. Anwar told reporters today.
During his visit today, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the victims will be buried at Pondok Ranggon cemetery in Cipayung district, East Jakarta, while the survivors will be relocated somewhere else.
“They will be prepared, there are 10 people who are ensured that they will stay [at the designated location] for the next 21 days, with food and other necessities provided. Inshallah (God willing) all the needs of the survivors are being prepared. The location of the incident will be investigated,” Anies said.
Anies also said that the cause of the fire might have originated from something other than a short circuit or an exploding gas stove.
“This time [the cause of the fire] was not from an electrical error and gas stove, a motorcycle outside the house caught fire, which then blocked the narrow alley but the cause is still under police’s investigation. [The Jakarta government] is still going to raise awareness on how to avoid fire from electrical short circuits and stoves.”
