Fire at Illegal Waringinkurung Landfill Persists, Heavy Machinery Deployed

Joint emergency teams are continuing efforts to manage a fire at the Waringinkurung landfill in Serang Regency, Banten. Four fire engines and one unit of heavy machinery have been deployed to the site.

“Regarding the current situation, there are no large-scale flames. However, smoke persists because the fire is located beneath the surface of the waste, deep within the piles, making it difficult to extinguish,” said Waringinkurung Police Chief, Iptu Hari Purwanto, when contacted on Sunday (30/08/2026).

“In terms of handling efforts, we have coordinated with the local sub-district leadership (Muspika) regarding the need for heavy machinery, and thankfully, the machinery arrived today. One excavator has been deployed, and the operator is coordinating with the fire department,” he added.

Hari explained that the heavy machinery was deployed to break up the waste piles so that the fire beneath them could be more easily extinguished. He noted that authorities are still attempting to secure additional heavy machinery to facilitate the firefighting process.

“The function of the heavy machinery is to disperse or open up the waste piles, so that the fire department can extinguish the fire precisely at the source. Technically, we are awaiting further instructions from the fire department,” said Hari.

Anton, an officer from the Serang Regency Fire Department, stated that four fire engines have been deployed to the location and that personnel are still actively managing the situation.

“We have been handling this since last night, and a team was dispatched again this morning. Approximately four units were sent to the site. There are currently no visible flames, but smoke remains present,” said Anton.

The fire broke out at the illegal landfill in the Waringinkurung area, Serang Regency, on Friday (28/08). The fire is reported to be burning inside the waste heaps.

“We have conducted firefighting efforts, but the location has difficult water access and requires heavy machinery to break up the piles because the fire source is located within the waste heaps at a depth of approximately 3 to 7 metres,” stated the Call Centre of the Serang Regency BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency) on Saturday (29/08).