Legislator Urges Jakarta Provincial Government to Improve Firefighting Infrastructure
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Kevin Wu, a member of Commission A of the Jakarta DPRD, has called on the Jakarta Provincial Government to improve firefighting infrastructure to prevent recurring incidents that leave residents homeless.
“This is not the first time Kebon Kosong has experienced a major fire. A fire also occurred here early last year,” said Kevin Wu in Jakarta on Wednesday, responding to the fire in Kebon Kosong Village, Kemayoran District, Central Jakarta.
To this end, Kevin Wu requested that the Jakarta Provincial Government improve infrastructure capable of extinguishing fires quickly to minimise casualties. “I am actually surprised that such fires can recur. The Jakarta Provincial Government should have been able to anticipate such incidents in areas that are known to be vulnerable,” he stated.
He urged the Jakarta Provincial Government to evaluate the incident. During the reconstruction process, he requested that the provincial government install more water hydrants. Additionally, he suggested the even distribution of portable fire extinguishers (APAR) as part of the ‘One Neighbourhood Unit, One Extinguisher’ programme, as well as expanding access for fire engines to enter and exit residential areas.
“When this area is rebuilt, do not forget that the fire control system must also be improved. Water hydrants need to be installed at vulnerable points,” he said.
Previously, the Central Jakarta Sub-department of Firefighting and Rescue (Gulkarmat) recorded that 620 individuals from 330 households lost their homes due to the fire in Kemayoran on Monday night (1/6).
“Approximately 620 people have lost their homes,” said the Head of the Central Jakarta Gulkarmat Sub-department, Syarifudin.
Syarifudin detailed that the fire victims in RT 12 to RT 16, RW 4 numbered 500 people, while in RT 01-03, RW 5 of Kebon Kosong Village, there were 120 people. He noted that the blaze caused 330 households in Kebon Kosong Village, Kemayoran District, Central Jakarta, to lose their homes.