Elderly woman killed in fire in Pesanggrahan

Jakarta (ANTARA) – An elderly woman was reported to have died in a fire on Jalan Perdatam Terusan, RT 03/05, Ulujami sub-district, Pesanggrahan district, South Jakarta, at 1.52am on Tuesday.

“Seven people lost their homes in the incident and one elderly person died,” said Asril Rizal, head of the South Jakarta Fire and Rescue Sub-agency, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Asril said his office received a report from residents of a house fire that had already grown large at 1.52am.

The fire, which engulfed a house covering 80 square metres, was contained at 2.11am, after which crews began cooling operations.

Asril said firefighting efforts, prompted by an electrical short circuit, were completed at 2.29am.

“We arrived at the scene in about five minutes and immediately began extinguishing the fire to prevent it spreading to other buildings,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yahya, a member of the South Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) task force, said the victim was an 80-year-old woman who had been ill.

After joint response teams evacuated her, Yahya said, health workers took charge of the victim at the nearest hospital.

“We offer our condolences over this incident. The officers in the field have done their utmost,” he said.