Cause of Kemayoran Fire Revealed, Fire Suspected to Have Started in Two Houses

A large fire that struck a residential area behind Pasar Jiung, Kebon Kosong, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Monday night (1/6/2026), is suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit in one of the residents’ houses. The Chief of Kemayoran Police, Commissioner Agung Ardiansyah, stated that this suspicion is based on eyewitness accounts of the fire’s initial appearance before it spread to surrounding buildings. “According to witnesses, the fire suddenly appeared from two houses located behind their residence,” Agung said in a written statement on Tuesday (2/6/2026).

In a short period, the flames grew rapidly, threatening the densely populated settlement, which largely consists of semi-permanent structures. “The initial suspicion is an electrical short circuit, which caused the fire to escalate suddenly,” added Agung. Upon seeing the flames, residents attempted to extinguish the fire using portable fire extinguishers (APAR). However, the rapid intensification of the blaze rendered these efforts unsuccessful in stopping the spread.

The fire subsequently spread to other buildings near the point of origin, causing extensive damage to the area. According to witness reports, at least 250 semi-permanent buildings inhabited by approximately 300 families were affected by the fire. In addition to the destruction of property, the blaze resulted in injuries to three residents. The police are currently conducting data collection and further investigations to determine the exact cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the total material losses resulting from the incident have yet to be estimated.