Elderly Woman Flees Barefoot as Fire Engulfs Paseban Settlement

Arsiah, 62, recounted the panic as a fire tore through the settlement on Jalan Kramat Sawah, Paseban, Central Jakarta. She said she fled barefoot to save herself.

The fire broke out on Thursday (20/8/2026) at around 8 p.m. local time. Arsiah said she heard residents shouting about the fire.

“I just ran, without sandals. I’ve been barefoot since last night, just getting away,” Arsiah said at an evacuation post in Paseban, Central Jakarta, on Friday (21/8).

She said she ran to the community hall when the fire broke out. Arsiah added that residents initially tried to save motorcycles and important documents as the fire began.

Arsiah and other affected residents are now temporarily sheltering in the grounds of SDN Paseban 05 Pagi primary school. She said those at the shelter have already received assistance.

“Alhamdulillah, it’s been enough, there’s been a lot of aid since last night,” Arsiah said.

The fire broke out on Thursday (20/8) at around 8 p.m. local time. Firefighting operations concluded at 10:49 p.m.

The Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service said 32 fire engines were deployed to extinguish the blaze. There were no fatalities or injuries.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Meanwhile, 120 residents affected by the fire have been forced to evacuate.