Central Jakarta Government Focuses on Emergency Aid for Kebon Kelapa Fire Victims
The Central Jakarta City Government is prioritising emergency handling and the distribution of in-kind aid for residents affected by the fire that struck a residential area on Jalan Batu Ceper, Kebon Kelapa, Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Monday afternoon (31/8).
Central Jakarta Mayor Arifin stated that discussions regarding house repairs will take place once the emergency response period has concluded.
“The main focus at this time is emergency mitigation and the distribution of in-kind aid. Discussions regarding the repair or reconstruction of residents’ houses will be conducted after the emergency response period ends,” Arifin said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Arifin explained that the current handling is being carried out collaboratively, involving the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), the Social Services Department, and other relevant agencies.
Based on preliminary data, the fire affected four neighbourhood units (RT) within the RW 01 area of Kebon Kelapa, specifically RT 04, RT 05, RT 07, and RT 09.
A total of 114 houses were reported damaged or affected, with the number of affected residents reaching over 800 people.
Arifin noted that operations at the site are still ongoing, with officers from the Fire and Rescue Service (Gulkarmat) performing cooling procedures to ensure the area is safe following the blaze.
In addition to on-site handling, the government is preparing several basic necessities for affected residents during the emergency period, including food, drinks, clean water, and mobile toilets.
Several locations have also been prepared as evacuation centres, including the RW 01 post, evacuation tents on vacant land, indoor areas, and parking garage facilities.
However, the evacuation centres are not yet at full capacity as some affected residents have chosen to stay temporarily with nearby relatives.
According to Arifin, food aid has already been distributed to residents staying in the official evacuation tents.
The government, along with relevant agencies, continues to ensure the availability of supporting facilities while residents undergo the emergency response period.
“PLN is currently working to restore the network so that the electricity supply can be turned back on once the conditions at the site are declared safe,” he said.
The fire previously struck the densely populated settlement on Jalan Batu Ceper, Kebon Kelapa, Gambir, Central Jakarta, on Monday afternoon.
The Central Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service deployed 29 fire engines and 135 personnel to contain the flames, which spread rapidly due to high housing density and narrow access roads.
According to data from the Gambir District, the fire affected 114 houses, involving 310 heads of households or 880 individuals.
No casualties have been reported, while the cause of the fire remains under investigation by the forensic identification team once the cooling process is complete.