35 barracks destroyed in TNI Mattoangin dormitory fire
Makassar - A total of 35 residential units were destroyed by fire in the TNI barracks settlement located on Jalan Padjonga Daeng Ngalle - Jalan Opu Dg Siraju, Pa’batang, Mamajang District, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday.
The Head of the Makassar Fire and Rescue Service (Damkarmat), Fadli Wellang, stated that the disaster occurred at the TNI Kodam Mattoangin barracks. He clarified that the updated data shows 35 houses (barracks) were affected by the flames, an increase from the previously reported 23 units.
The fire broke out at 1:00 PM WITA, with reports received by authorities at 1:40 PM WITA. A total of 26 fire engines were deployed, involving 78 personnel, including rescue teams.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the authorities. Preliminary information suggests the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit when power was restored following scheduled blackouts caused by the dry season.
“The cause is still being investigated. There was a power outage, and when the lights came back on, the fire started. That is just an estimate,” Fadng told reporters.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze after approximately one hour and 20 minutes, around 3:00 PM WITA. Fadli noted that the firefighting efforts were hindered by narrow access roads to the site and strong winds, which caused the flames to spread rapidly.
The Commander of Koramil 1408-06/Mamajang, Major Arh Jamaluddin, stated that residents were forced to evacuate as the fire intensified due to the high winds. He added that the displaced residents have been relocated to a nearby field and a mosque.
Following the fire, the Makassar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) team moved quickly to manage the aftermath and conduct assessments of the affected survivors.
No fatalities were reported in the disaster. However, one person was rushed to Bhayangkara Hospital suffering from shortness of breath due to thick smoke, and another sustained a laceration to the forehead and is currently being treated at RSUD Labuang Baji.