Fire at Al Falakiyah Islamic Boarding School in Bogor: 56 Students Affected and Undergoing Treatment

A massive fire struck the Al Falakiyah Pagentongan Islamic Boarding School, located in the Loji Village, West Bogor District, Bogor City, West Java, on Saturday afternoon (5/9). The incident resulted in 56 students being affected and requiring intensive medical treatment.

The Mayor of Bogor, Dedie A Rachim, revealed that dozens of children were impacted while attempting to extinguish the flames raging within the boarding school premises.

According to preliminary data, 31 children were rushed to the PMI Bogor Hospital, while the remainder are being treated at various other health facilities across Bogor City.

“A total of 56 children were affected by the fire. They were attempting to put out the fire when it occurred,” said Dedie while visiting the victims at the PMI Bogor Hospital.

Dedie explained that the majority of the victims suffered from respiratory distress. This was triggered by the materials burning, specifically sponge foam mattresses, which produced thick black smoke. The students inhaled this smoke while trying to subdue the fire at the scene.

“Because the items burning were foam and sponge mattresses, most of them suffered from shortness of breath,” he added.

In addition to respiratory issues, medical teams also noted physical injuries. Of the 31 children treated at the PMI Bogor Hospital, five were reported to have sustained burns on their fingers.

Currently, the condition of the students is reported to be stabilising and they are in the process of recovery. The primary focus of the medical team is to restore their respiratory functions, which were impaired due to prolonged exposure to smoke.

“Overall, these children are being treated for recovery, particularly for their shortness of breath, caused by inhaling smoke for too long,” concluded Dedie.