Firecracker Factory House Explodes in Situbondo, One Person Killed

Situbondo, East Java — Situbondo Police are investigating an explosion at a residential property suspected of being used as a firecracker production site, which left seven people with burn injuries and one person dead.

The house belonging to Kulsum (60), a resident of Mimbo hamlet, Sumberanyar village, Banyuputih subdistrict, Situbondo, collapsed following a massive explosion believed to have originated from firecracker powder stored inside the property on Wednesday, 18 February at approximately 12.00 local time.

“According to witness statements from residents near the scene, the explosion occurred at around 12.00,” said Situbondo Police Chief Senior Commissioner Bayu Anuwar Sidiqie at the scene on Wednesday.

As a result of the explosion, he continued, seven people sustained burns and fractures, whilst another victim identified as Supriyadi (50) died after being buried under the building’s rubble.

According to Police Chief Bayu, five victims of the firecracker explosion — Samsul (22), Riko (25), Faiz (20), Fino (25) and Kulsum (60) — were taken to Asembagus District Hospital, whilst one victim, Abdurrahman (15), was referred to Dr Abdoer Rahem District Hospital in Situbondo due to the severity of his burn injuries.

“Abdurrahman was referred to Dr Abdoer Rahem Hospital because he suffered burns covering approximately 90 per cent of his body,” he said.

From observations at the scene, Kulsum’s house, suspected of being used for storing firecracker powder and manufacturing firecrackers, was completely levelled, and several neighbouring houses were also damaged by the blast.