Duren Sawit Fire Victims Recount Hearing Explosion, Hope for Government Aid

A fire that destroyed a number of rented houses and market stalls occurred in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta. A victim named Annes (21) said he heard an explosion while the fire was taking place.

“At the time of the incident I was inside, watching something and also lying down playing with my mobile phone. Suddenly I smelled smoke, so I immediately went outside to look from this direction, towards this alley. And when the incident happened the fire was already growing, and there was an explosion sound from inside,” said Annes when met at the fire site.

After that, Annes panicked and fled. Annes said he did not have time to save his belongings.

“I didn’t have time to secure my things because I was panicking. So I had no time at all to save my valuables,” he said.

Annes also said he shouted to alert people about the fire. Residents around the fire site immediately came out afterwards.

“We came out straight away. I immediately shouted, ‘Fire, fire’. Everyone immediately came out,” he said.

Annes said he is now taking refuge at a relative’s home. He hopes the government can provide assistance to the affected victims.

“My hope is that we quickly receive aid from the government and that they come directly to the location to provide assistance to residents affected by this disaster,” he added.

Previously, East Jakarta Fire Department duty officer Mardiyanto said his team deployed 18 units with 90 personnel.

According to him, the area affected by the fire covers more than 400 square metres.

“We deployed 18 support units with a total of 90 personnel. What burned were rented houses and a mix of market stalls. The area is approximately 400 to 600 square metres,” Mardiyanto explained at the scene on Tuesday (25/8/2026).

Mardiyanto said there were no fatalities in the incident. The victims managed to save themselves when the fire broke out.

“Thank God everyone is safe. Because it was still daytime, the spread of the fire was visible, so people could evacuate and save themselves,” he said.

Mardiyanto has not yet explained the cause of the fire, which remains unknown. His team is currently still focusing on extinguishing the blaze.