Major Fire in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta Suspected to Be Caused by Electrical Short Circuit

Police are investigating a fire in densely populated residential areas on Jalan Kemayoran Gempol, Kebon Kosong, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. Police have attributed the fire to an electrical short circuit.

“The cause of the fire is suspected to be from an electrical short circuit,” said Kemayoran Police Chief Kompol Agung Ardiyansyah to journalists on Tuesday, 2 June 2024.

Police received information of the fire in Kemayoran Gempol behind Pasar Jiung on Monday, 1 June, at approximately 21:10 WIB. According to a witness named Darni, around 21:00 WIB, flames suddenly appeared from 2 houses behind the witness.

The fire was initially discovered at the home of a resident named Darmansyah, where an electrical short circuit was suspected and the flames spread rapidly. Nearby residents immediately attempted to extinguish the fire using 3 units of portable fire extinguishers owned by RW 04’s secretariat, but the fire had already grown too large.

Based on preliminary data, witnesses estimated that approximately 250 semi-permanent structures housing 300 households in Jalan Kemayoran Gempol were affected by the fire. Police have secured the location and are seeking witnesses for further questioning.

“Material losses cannot yet be assessed,” the official added.

The fire in the densely populated residential area on Jalan Kemayoran Gempol has been extinguished. Firefighting personnel extinguished the blaze after battling it for approximately seven hours.

“Fire situation/status: extinguishing complete,” stated the Jakarta Fire Department command centre on Tuesday, 2 June.

Firefighting personnel received initial information of the fire on Monday, 1 June, at approximately 20:55 WIB, with extinguishing operations commencing at 21:05 WIB. Extinguishing operations were completed at 04:15 WIB.

“Unit/personnel deployment: 35 units/175 personnel,” the command centre added.