Aceh Timur BPBD Deploys Personnel to Traditional Oil Well Fire

The Aceh Timur Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has deployed personnel to the site of a fire at a traditionally managed oil well in Gampong Lhok Leumak, Darul Ihsan district. The blaze was first reported on Sunday, 5 July, at approximately 1.30 p.m. Western Indonesia Time.

Acting Head of the Aceh Timur BPBD, Syahrizal Fauzi, stated on Monday that the central point of the fire has yet to be extinguished because the oil gush remains active. He explained that personnel are being stationed to prevent the flames from spreading to other locations.

Firefighting efforts are currently concentrated on cooling a radius of approximately 100 metres from the centre of the fire as a precautionary measure to stop it from spreading to residents’ land. The operation is facing challenges due to the narrow and hilly terrain, which limits the manoeuvrability of firefighting vehicles and restricts the movement of personnel.

Aceh Timur Regent Iskandar Usman Al-Farlaky confirmed that the local government is coordinating with the sub-district administration, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and other relevant agencies to ensure the response proceeds smoothly. He noted that there have been no reports of casualties and stressed that public safety remains the top priority in all disaster and emergency management efforts. The Regent also urged residents to stay away from the fire site and comply with all directives from field officers.