Persistent Fires Force Sleman Resident to Evacuate

Persistent fires destroying household items in Mutfiana’s home in Padukuhan Mriyan X, Margomulyo, Seyegan, Sleman, continue, forcing residents to evacuate to a neighbour’s house. The homeowner, Mutfiana, said she, her husband, and child temporarily relocated to a neighbour’s house at night but remain vigilant. ‘We’re only staying next door and won’t go far, but we keep watch by the house. If we’re even a few minutes late to notice it, everything could catch fire,’ she said during an interview on Thursday, 28 May.

Fia, her nickname, reported the latest fire occurred on 27 May when a towel in the bedroom suddenly ignited. She managed to extinguish it immediately. ‘There are still fires, and the locations keep changing. Last night at around 10:55 PM, it burned a towel,’ she added.

She stated that fires began on the early hours of 23 May and have persisted, occurring randomly. A total of 39 incidents have been recorded across 34 different locations, primarily consuming fabrics, furniture, mats, and other flammable items. ‘Thirty-nine fires across 34 spots. Furniture, clothing, mats—anything flammable. It’s odd that upper parts burn while lower parts remain untouched,’ she explained.

After the DIY Regional Police Gegana team identified a methane gas leak on 24 May, she repaired the septic tank drainage. However, fires continued, especially at night. ‘We’ve followed all Gegana’s recommendations. Clothes have been moved, yet fires still happen,’ she said.

Fia reported the incident to police, who confirmed residual methane gas is causing ongoing fires. ‘Gegana said it’s just the remaining gas from underground. Methane could take weeks or months to disappear,’ she added.

Residents of Padukuhan Mriyan X were previously alarmed by repeated fires damaging household items. Police investigations suggested methane gas from the septic tank was the cause. ‘It started Saturday, 23 May, at midnight. First, fabrics caught fire, then it spread to the door frames,’ Mutfiana told reporters on 24 May.

Officers from Sleman Police Station’s Inafis team and the DIY Regional Police Gegana team processed the scene. Preliminary findings indicated methane gas from the septic tank triggered the fires. ‘Based on Gegana’s findings, the fires were caused by a methane gas leak from a septic tank with non-compliant gas drainage pipes, allowing gas to enter the house and ignite,’ said Seyegan Police Chief AKP Pujiono.