Fire reignites in West Jakarta's Tambora district as residents panic and flee

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Residents on Jalan Krendang Barat in Tambora, West Jakarta, recounted the moments when the fire reignited at the same site on Friday evening (29 May 2026).

Rizal, 45, a resident of Gang 2 Jalan Krendang Barat, said flames reappeared around 9pm, causing panic among those still near the site.

‘Surprisingly, everything was calm last night, then suddenly people started shouting “fire, fire” — we all panicked when we saw the flames had already grown large on the same building,’ Rizal told Kompas.com at the scene on Saturday morning.

A PLN officer, while on a ladder, reportedly first noticed flames from a previously burnt structure.

‘He immediately alerted residents, “There’s fire, call the fire brigade,” and people quickly dialled the firefighters again,’ he added.

Soon after, West Jakarta’s Fire and Rescue Department (Gulkarmat) arrived to extinguish the blaze.

Although the fire briefly intensified, Rizal stated it was smaller than the previous day’s incident.

He explained the flames were confined to one spot and did not spread to other buildings.

‘Alhamdulillah it didn’t spread, just there. It was quickly put out, though smoke lingered for longer,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Sofi, 33, a resident now in temporary shelter, said she panicked upon seeing the fire reignite.

Having lost her home in the earlier blaze, she said the experience made her more sensitive to any flames.

‘When your home is gone, of course you panic — we’re already scared it’ll get worse,’ Sofi said.

She also noted white smoke was still rising from debris piles on Saturday morning, though no active flames were visible.