Fire at Cepu gas field displaces 1,000 people

Blontank Poer and Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Blora

More than 1,000 villagers have refused to return to their villages after a major fire at the state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina's oil and gas exploration field in Cepu, Blora regency, Central Java on Monday.

The fire is continuing to rage with Pertamina officials conceding it would take at least five weeks to bring it under control.

Besides feeling traumatized, hundreds of residents are still ill blaming gas and smoke fumes. Three villagers are still undergoing medical treatment at the Cepu General Hospital for breathing difficulties or lung disorders.

"We remain alert amid fresh fears of more fires. We are still traumatized by the giant flames and its heat and bad odor," said Parjan, a resident of Peting village.

Parjan and his wife and five children, spent Tuesday night at his brother's house in a neighboring village.

Supardjo, 55, and Waridjan, 65, residents of Sumber village near the fire's location, said they were shocked at the intensity of the blaze and would continue to stay in their sons' house far from the fire till the situation returned to normal.

The villagers said they would return home only after the local administration and Pertamina gave iron-clad guarantees that the villages were truly safe to live in.

More than 4,000 residents of numerous villages near the fire fled when the well first exploded. Most had since returned home.

The displaced villagers said they would claim financial compensation from Pertamina for the suffering and material losses caused by the fire.

The fire also affected tens of hectares of rice fields and other crops.

Kusnanto, deputy chairman of the Blora regency legislature, said the legislative council would seek answers from Pertamina regarding its stance on paying compensation to the adversely- effected villagers.

Idris Kamidjo, general manager of Pertamina's eastern Java operation's office, said Pertamina would provide financial and medical assistance for all villagers effected by the fire.

"I know they (villagers) have been traumatized. That is why we will cover all medical fees for all those affected by the fire and provide financial compensation for all displaced people," he said.