Methane Leak Causes 11 Fires in Seyegan Home Over Two Days
A resident’s house in Padukuhan Mriyan X, Margomulyo, Sleman, experienced 11 fires within two days. Gegana teams were deployed to identify the cause, which was ultimately found to be methane gas leakage from a septic tank.
The first fire occurred on Saturday, 23 May evening, destroying several household items.
‘It began at midnight on Saturday, 23 May. Initially, cloth caught fire, then spread to the door frame,’ said homeowner Mutfiana when interviewed by reporters on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
After being extinguished, flames reappeared in different areas, burning more items. The incidents continued to repeat until yesterday afternoon.
‘Over 26 hours, there were 11 fire incidents. The largest occurred yesterday at 3pm, spreading to the Eternit sheets and continuing until dawn. The last was at 10am,’ she said.
‘There were no explosion sounds or sparks; it just suddenly caught fire,’ she added.
Mutfiana said there were no casualties.
‘But furniture, sofas, doors, beds, mattresses burned. Then a lot more. Most of the burnt items were furnishings,’ she said.
The incident was reported to the police. Sleman Police Station’s Inafis team and DIY Provincial Police Gegana unit visited the site to investigate. Preliminary findings suggested the fires were caused by methane gas from the septic tank.
‘Based on Gegana’s investigation, the fires were triggered by a methane leak from the septic tank due to non-compliant gas drainage pipes, allowing gas to enter the house and ignite,’ said Seyegan Police Chief AKP Pujiono during confirmation on Sunday, 24 May.
From the investigation, Pujiono explained the fires occurred multiple times over two days.
‘They burned bathroom doors and towels, living room chairs, part of bedroom mattresses, and bathroom fabrics,’ he said.
After further checks until 12:00 WIB, no more methane leaks were detected. Police urged the homeowner to replace the pipes immediately, as the septic tank also handles chicken slaughter waste.
‘Gegana recommended the septic tank be dismantled and safety-standard drainage pipes installed, given it processes both household and chicken slaughter waste,’ Pujiono added.