Jakarta West City Government Urges Residents Not to Play with Firecrackers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah has urged residents not to play with firecrackers during the takbiran night or Eid holiday, following a fire at a plastic factory on Jalan Bojong Raya, Rawa Buaya, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, early Friday, suspected to be caused by firecracker shots.

“We hope no residents play with firecrackers carelessly. And this is proof that it is also dangerous,” Iin told reporters after the takbiran readiness roll call at the West Jakarta City Hall courtyard on Friday afternoon.

According to her, short circuits and firecracker shots also pose a fire risk and should be avoided.

“Fire factors can be triggered by many things, including electrical short circuits, and also the impact from possible unintentional actions but perhaps also negative things done related to firecrackers or other hazardous materials,” she said.

Iin asked the public to maintain a peaceful atmosphere during Eid al-Fitr. “We hope residents do not do that because we are all maintaining the Eid al-Fitr atmosphere, which we certainly hope can be well preserved without any fire-related issues,” she said.

Previously, the fire that struck the plastic factory on Jalan Bojong Raya Number 26 RT 05/RW 04 Rawa Buaya, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, early Friday, was suspected to be due to firecrackers thrown by a group of teenagers.

Head of the Operations Section of the West Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency (Gulkarmat), Syaiful Kahfi, said that based on the security guard’s statement at the location, the firecrackers were thrown by a group of teenagers.

“For now, it is suspected due to firecracker sparks. Around 03:23 WIB, according to the security guard, at the beginning of the incident, there were teenagers playing with firecrackers,” Syaiful said when confirmed in Jakarta.

The naughty teenagers were once warned by the security guard. However, the warning made them even more defiant.

“They were once reprimanded by the security guard of the company right next to the scene. However, the teenagers did not accept it and became more intense in setting off firecrackers around the area,” Syaiful explained.

As a result, one firecracker entered the plastic factory and ignited its contents. There were no fatalities or injuries from the fire.