Four fires in a week kill two residents in Padang Pariaman

Four fires that occurred in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, over the past week have killed two people and caused material losses estimated to reach at least Rp3.6 billion.

Head of the Civil Service Police Unit and Fire Brigade (Satpol PP and Damkar) of Padang Pariaman, Rifki Monrizal, said in Parik Malintang on Saturday that the regional government is stepping up preparedness, public education and cross-agency coordination to prevent similar incidents.

“There were fatalities, two people,” he said.

According to Rifki, the four fires struck Kayu Tanam Market, the Bustanul Yaqin Islamic boarding school, a house in Nagari Sungai Buluah Utara, and a motorcycle in Nagari Sintuak.

The first fire broke out at Kayu Tanam Market in Kecamatan 2x11 Kayu Tanam on Wednesday (23 July), engulfing 15 kiosks with losses estimated at Rp2.5 billion. According to initial information, residents heard the sound of a gas cylinder exploding before the flames spread.

A day later, on Thursday (24 July), a fire struck the Bustanul Yaqin Islamic boarding school in Nagari Pungguang Kasiak, Kecamatan Lubuak Aluang, with material losses of around Rp600 million.

On Friday (25 July), two further fires occurred, in Nagari Sungai Buluah Utara, Kecamatan Batang Anai, and in Nagari Sintuak, Kecamatan Sintuak Toboh Gadang.

The house fire in Nagari Sungai Buluah Utara killed two occupants and caused losses of around Rp500 million, while the fire in Nagari Sintuak destroyed one motorcycle.

Rifki said the fires were extinguished using the Padang Pariaman fire brigade fleet, assisted by fire engines from a number of neighbouring regencies and cities.

He urged residents to heighten their vigilance against potential fires, while the exact causes of each incident remain under investigation by the authorities.