Fire Victims at Cimuning SPBE in Bekasi Reach 17 People

Bekasi - The number of victims from the fire at the Bulk LPG Filling Station (SPBE) on Cinyosog Road, Cimuning Ward, Bekasi City, West Java, has been identified as reaching 17 people based on the latest temporary update by the local police resort. “Earlier, we visited the hospital where the temporary data shows 17 victims, and some have burns exceeding 50 percent,” said the Bekasi Metro City Police Chief, Commissioner Kusumo Wahyu Bintoro, in Bekasi on Thursday. “We hope all victims are granted swift recovery; we all pray for their health. Earlier, some victims had already left the hospital; they are in our data as undergoing outpatient treatment,” he added. The majority of the victims are residents living in nearby settlements relatively close to the Cimuning SPBE area, while two other victims are workers at the incident site. He assured that the investigation process at the scene is still ongoing. The forensic laboratory team (Labfor) is involved in deepening the case, including to determine the cause of the incident. “Yes, the Labfor team is still conducting in-depth investigations there. The investigation into the cause is still underway. We are also taking statements from witnesses; the preliminary suspicion is still in process,” he said. He admitted that the distance between the SPBE area and residential areas or other buildings is indeed relatively close, resulting in several houses, rented rooms, shops, stalls, public facilities, and scrap warehouses suffering moderate to severe damage. “Yes, if you look at it, it is too close to the community settlements; the position is like that. But, of course, it would be more appropriate to communicate this matter with the relevant agencies later,” he stated. The police chief suspects that the explosion, allegedly due to a gas leak, triggered the fire, worsened by the gas following the wind direction, thus widening the impact of the incident. “Yes, gas naturally follows the wind direction. The wind was blowing in a certain direction; according to eyewitnesses, it was mostly towards the front at the time, so the front area of the SPBE suffered more severely. Houses, trading kiosks, and other buildings, including several four-wheeled vehicles in the process of refilling, were affected. Material losses are still being calculated,” he said.