500 Residents Affected as 5 Hectares of Land at Nangkaleah Landfill in Tasikmalaya Catch Fire

A joint team is continuing efforts to extinguish a fire at the Nangkaleah landfill, located in Kampung Cioray, Sukasukur Village, Mangunreja District, Tasikmalaya Regency. The fire broke out on Wednesday (26/8) at around 02.00 WIB, reportedly triggered by methane gas in the waste pile. The blaze has burned five hectares of the landfill’s total ten-hectare area.

Observations at the site show the fire is still burning at the Nangkaleah landfill in Kampung Cioray. Various firefighting efforts have been undertaken, including deploying nine fire engines assisted by water tanks, water supply from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Tagana, and other water sources. Vehicles involved in the operation came from the 0612 Tasikmalaya Military District Command, the 939 White Tiger Infantry Battalion, BPBD, the Fire Service, and the Environment Agency.

Abun Bunyamin, Head of the Administrative Sub-Division of the Tasikmalaya Regency Fire Service, said his office received a report of the fire at the Nangkaleah landfill in Kampung Cioray. BPBD and fire service personnel were deployed to the location to carry out firefighting operations. However, the landfill fire has not yet subsided because the conditions are difficult for personnel to reach.

“The fire at the Nangkaleah landfill in Kampung Cioray has not been extinguished after 11 hours because the terrain is difficult with a 90-degree slope, and various efforts are still being made to fight the fire from above. However, the water sources obtained by personnel have been very difficult because there is no river flow at the location, so efforts have been directed to the Cikunteun River,” said Abun Bunyamin at the scene on Wednesday (26/8).

Meanwhile, Mangunreja Sub-district Head Ucu Supriadi said the fire at the Nangkaleah landfill is being handled by a joint team from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Indonesian National Police, BPBD, the Fire Service, Tagana, the Indonesian Red Cross, the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency, and the Social Service, assisted by local residents. However, the five-hectare fire has affected 500 people in Kampung Cijulang, Kampung Cioray, Kampung Baru, and Kampung Layur.

“Health Service personnel have begun conducting examinations of affected residents. The thick white smoke at the Nangkaleah landfill can cause acute respiratory infections. However, the fire has not been fully extinguished because the terrain is very difficult, and an excavator is still needed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mangunreja Military District Commander Major Inf Mukhlis said he has inspected the location of the fire.

“The fire is still spreading below the cliff, and firefighting efforts need to be carried out carefully because of the risk of landslides. However, firefighting efforts are being carried out from above, and we are still waiting for an excavator from the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency. We also need to be aware of the Extra High Voltage Air Line network,” he concluded.