4 Facts About the Cikini Building Fire: People Trapped Amid Billowing Smoke

A fire engulfed a building in the Cikini area of Central Jakarta on Wednesday (5/8/2026), sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The fire was reported by residents via telephone to the fire department at 14.45 WIB. The burning building is located on Jalan Cikini Raya, Cikini Urban Village, Menteng District, Central Jakarta.

"The object on fire is a building," said an officer from the DKI Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service (Gulkarmat) Command Centre. A total of 20 fire engines and 76 personnel were deployed to the scene.

Traffic heading towards Cikini was diverted to Cut Meutia as a result of the fire. The road was reopened at 17.39 WIB.

At around 16.00 WIB, approximately eight workers were observed on the roof of the burning building, apparently trying to escape the flames and smoke. They were seen wearing helmets and work uniforms, remaining calm as they waited for assistance. Nearly 20 minutes later, the workers were no longer visible on the roof. The fire was extinguished at 14.52 WIB. The fire department deployed a vehicle with a long hydraulic ladder (bronto skylift) to reach the fire at height, with cooling operations commencing at 15.45 WIB.

Fire Officer Subady stated that the fire appeared to have started on the ground floor and spread upwards. He noted that the ground floor contained flammable materials such as plywood and wood, as the building was undergoing renovation.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire and will conduct a crime scene investigation. Cikini Police Chief AKBP Braiel Arnold Rondonuwu confirmed that 10 building workers were evacuated and that there were no fatalities or injuries.