Fire at Pademangan shophouse causes estimated Rp1 billion in losses

The North Jakarta Fire and Rescue Sub-department (Sudin Gulkarmat) has estimated that losses from a fire at an electronics shophouse in the Mahkota Ancol Shophouse Complex, Pademangan, North Jakarta, reached Rp1 billion. “The victim’s losses are estimated at Rp1 billion,” said Gulkarmat Operations Section Head Gatot Sulaeman in Jakarta on Saturday. Gatot said the fire gutted a 70-square-metre shophouse owned by Yohanes (51). According to him, the fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Based on statements, a witness saw plumes of smoke coming from the neighbouring shophouse and reported it to the fire brigade to request assistance in handling the fire. Officers deployed 10 fire engines and a total of 50 personnel to extinguish the blaze at the location. Officers received information about the fire at 2.15 p.m. Western Indonesian Time and arrived at the location to begin extinguishing it at 2.20 p.m. Western Indonesian Time. “The fire was successfully extinguished at 5.48 p.m. Western Indonesian Time and the situation has been handled by officers,” he said. Gatot urged the public to be vigilant against all potential fire hazards in their respective areas. “Check electrical installations regularly and do not burn rubbish or anything else during the day. Provide light fire extinguishers in your homes,” he said.