Firefighters Continue to Douse Illegal Dumpsite in Kramat Jati to Prevent Re-ignition

Firefighters are still spraying water onto an illegal waste disposal site in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. Monitoring at the location on Monday afternoon showed personnel continuing to douse the area.

Around 3:30 PM WIB, firefighters were seen alternately spraying water onto various points of the fire, moving from the centre to the right and left sides of the dump. Muchtar Zakaria, Head of the East Jakarta Fire and Rescue Sub-department, explained that his team remains on standby to prevent any re-ignition, noting that the hot weather significantly influences the potential for flames to reappear.

“We are still standing by here to guard it. Because the situation is quite hot. Rather than have a re-ignition, we remain on standby. One unit has 5 to 10 personnel,” Muchtar said. He added that the hot weather dries out materials, and when combined with wind and friction, it can lead to spontaneous combustion.

He also stated that coordination is ongoing with related agencies, including the Environmental and Water Resources Sub-departments, to excavate the waste piles suspected of still harbouring hotspots. “The hotspots are underneath the piles. There is debris and rubbish, creating cavities below. Due to the hot air temperature, friction occurs underneath, which causes fire,” he explained.

An excavator is being used to break up the waste piles so they can be soaked and prevent further burning. Firefighters are working to complete the extinguishing process as quickly as possible. The fire at the illegal dumpsite first broke out on Saturday morning and resulted in the death of a fire crew leader, Andriyono, from the Cipayung Fire Sector.