27 homes in Tambora, West Jakarta destroyed in fire suspected to be caused by short circuit

JAKARTA – A major fire that destroyed 27 homes in the densely populated area of Jalan Krendang Barat Gang 2, RT 13/RW 4, Krendang Village, Tambora Subdistrict, West Jakarta, on Thursday (28 May 2026) evening is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit.

Tambora subdistrict head Pangestu Aji said that, based on initial reports, the fire was suspected to have started from the electrical installation in a rental house.

“Initial reports from residents suggested sparks in the rental house on the second floor. If that’s the case, it’s likely an electrical short circuit, though it’s only a preliminary assumption,” he told Kompas.com at the scene on Friday (29 May 2026).

He said he initially saw thick smoke rising from the second floor of a rental house before large flames erupted.

“I was sitting when I suddenly saw thick smoke, then flames appeared above. Smoke first, then fire. There were two people upstairs, so I went straight up,” Dedi told Kompas.com at the scene.

Upon discovering the tenants were still sound asleep, Dedi immediately broke down the door to rescue them. He was even scolded by the two occupants as they were unaware of the fire.

“Even when woken up, they scolded him at first because they didn’t realise a fire had broken out. They were half-dressed, probably shocked,” Dedi said.

According to Dedi, the short circuit is suspected to have occurred in the ground-floor house rented by a baker who was away visiting his hometown.

The lights were on, and the wiring is suspected to have short-circuited after being chewed by rats.

“One house downstairs, the owner is a baker who was back in his hometown. The lights were on. Probably rats chewed the wires, causing a short circuit. Initially there was a lot of smoke, then it grew bigger,” Dedi explained.

“There was an explosion, especially the electrical cables were sparking,” he added.

Kasli, 54, whose home was also destroyed, corroborated the short circuit theory.

When he returned from work around 7pm, he saw the fire had already grown on the second floor of the rental building after previously witnessing electrical sparks.