39 Fires at Fia's House Prompt UGM and Gegana Intervention

Repeated fires have occurred at Mutfiana’s home in Seyegan, Sleman, over the past week. Gegana police have conducted inspections at the site, and UGM will deploy seven experts to uncover the cause of the mysterious fires. The fires began on Saturday, 23 May, and by Thursday, 28 May, had occurred 39 times at the property. The flames consumed items such as fabrics, furniture, and other combustible materials. ‘Total of 39 fires across 34 different points. Furniture, clothes, mats, anything flammable. But it’s odd—the upper parts burn while the lower parts don’t,’ said Mutfiana during an interview at her home on Thursday, 28 May 2026. Consultation with Gegana Mutfiana reported the unusual incidents to police, who deployed the Gegana unit. Their findings indicated a septic tank leak releasing flammable methane gas. Mutfiana promptly repaired the septic tank, yet fires continued to erupt unexpectedly. ‘We followed Gegana’s advice. Clothes were evacuated, but fires still occur,’ she said. She later consulted police again, with Gegana explaining residual methane gas was still present underground. ‘The remaining gas needs to dissipate, which could take weeks or months,’ she added. Mutfiana and her family are currently staying at a neighbour’s house at night, though the building—also used as a poultry slaughterhouse—is guarded every evening. ‘We’re staying next door, not too far. We keep watch outside because if we’re late to spot a fire, everything could be destroyed,’ she said. Geology and Nuclear Experts Deployed Multiple experts will investigate the recurring fires at Mutfiati’s home. UGM will send seven specialists to uncover the cause of the mysterious flames. Professor Alva Edy Tontowi, coordinator of UGM’s Centre for Entropy Delay Studies (PKPE), stated seven experts from four departments would conduct observations tomorrow. The team includes specialists from Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Nuclear and Physical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Geology departments. ‘Seven people. We’ll observe first tomorrow,’ Professor Alva told journalists on Friday, 29 May. ‘We’ll check the source, the fire sites, and the surrounding environment,’ he added. Alva noted such incidents are not unprecedented and can be scientifically explained. ‘Methane gas, biogas, various sources. Sometimes fuel station leaks, other causes,’ said the professor from the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering department. The investigation aims to clarify the cause and prevent public confusion. ‘The public gets confused about the cause. We’re using our technical expertise to determine what’s really happening,’ he said. DIY Public Works and Regional Development Agency Analysis DIY Public Works and Regional Development Agency Head Anna Rina Herbranti suspects methane gas buildup caused the fires, ruling out natural gas as unlikely. ‘Young volcanic lithology typically consists of loose materials and lacks the capacity to form hydrocarbon source or reservoir rocks required in hydrocarbon systems,’ she explained on Friday, 29 May. Anna added that Seyegan’s regional geology lacks major structures like active faults, folds, or sedimentary basins that could form subsurface gas accumulations. ‘Thus, the region shows no geological characteristics supporting natural gas potential,’ she stated. Based on these facts, she believes the mystery fires are likely due to organic gas, possibly from a septic tank. Seyegan’s soil, dominated by young volcanic deposits like sand, clay, and ash, is porous, allowing septic tank gas to seep through cracks. ‘Spontaneous fire points can be influenced by environmental factors, flammable materials, local organic gas accumulation, or non-geological technical factors,’ Anna said. ‘Field observations indicate methane accumulation from the septic tank; small fissures or loose fill layers allow gas to rise,’ she added. She confirmed the agency, along with Sleman’s Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), PLN UP3 Sleman, and academics, will visit the site tomorrow for handling. ‘DIY PUPESDM continuously monitors and coordinates with BPBD Sleman and PLN. Two fire points remain today,’ she concluded. Police Statement Previously reported, Sleman Police’s Inafis team and Gegana unit from DIY Police Headquarters inspected the site. Preliminary findings suggest methane gas from a septic tank triggered the fires. ‘Based on Gegana’s examination, a non-compliant septic tank gas vent caused methane leakage into the house, sparking fires,’ said Seyegan Police Chief AKP Pujiono during confirmation on Sunday, 24 May. From the investigation, Pujiono explained the fires occurred multiple times over two days. ’Amongst…