Jakarta Fire Department Reveals Duren Sawit Frame Factory Has Caught Fire Four Times

The East Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service (Gulkarmat) has revealed that a fire at a frame factory located on Jalan Lampiri Raya Number 28, Pondok Kelapa, Duren Sawit, has occurred four times. The incident in the early hours of Wednesday (12/8) was described as the largest compared to previous events. Head of the East Jakarta Gulkarmat Agency, Muchtar Zakaria, stated that this information was obtained from local residents, particularly those directly affected by the disaster. “Yes, it is true, according to the residents’ accounts. I also asked the community, especially those impacted by the fire. So, it has indeed happened three to four times,” Muchtar said in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, on Wednesday. The repeated fire incidents at the location have sparked concern among officials. Muchtar highlighted the factory’s position in the middle of a dense residential area, close to residents’ houses and a prayer room. He suggested that the factory’s presence at the site needs to be reviewed for its suitability. “I am also a bit worried because it might not be appropriate to be near a residential area; this factory area carries quite a high risk,” he explained. In this latest event, firefighters managed to localise the blaze so it did not spread further to residents’ homes. Apart from the factory building, only one resident’s house was reported to be affected. Muchtar also confirmed there were no fatalities or injuries in the incident. The materials inside the factory were a factor that accelerated the spread of the fire. The frame factory was known to store large amounts of wood and used thinner and other chemicals for the painting process, which are highly flammable. Additionally, there was a plastic pellet warehouse near the site. Muchtar stressed that these conditions demand a much stricter fire safety system. “This actually requires extra security measures to anticipate fire hazards. This is the responsibility of the factory owner,” he asserted. To date, the exact cause of the fire in the early hours of Wednesday is still under investigation. The Gulkarmat agency has fully handed over the investigation process to the police to determine the point of origin and source of the fire. Although previous incidents were suspected to have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, Muchtar emphasised that this cannot yet be concluded for the current event. “The cause conveyed previously was also a short circuit. Because, indeed, it is possible; a factory definitely uses electricity. However, let the police conduct the investigation later,” he concluded.