Police Suspect Cigarette Butts Sparked Fire at BYD Subang Factory Project
The police are still investigating the cause behind the fire that occurred in Area 14 of the Chinese electric vehicle factory, BYD, in Sawangan Village, Subang Regency.
By Fabio Maria Lopes Costa
05 Jun 2026 12:46 WIB · English
BANDUNG, KOMPAS - The police suspect that a cigarette butt triggered a fire in Area 14 of the BYD electric car factory construction project in Subang Regency, West Java, on Wednesday (3/6/2026). Although there were no casualties, an investigation is still underway to determine the exact cause of the incident at one of the largest electric vehicle investment projects in Indonesia.
The fire occurred at 2:20 PM WIB. In addition to paper, styrofoam materials also caught fire, resulting in thick smoke visible from a distance. This led residents to believe that a large fire had broken out at the BYD factory.
The Head of the Public Relations Division of the West Java Police, Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan, stated on Friday (5/6/2026) that, based on preliminary suspicions, the cause of the fire was a discarded cigarette butt.
“There were no fatalities or injuries in the incident. The assessment of material losses is still underway. Witness examinations and the processing of the crime scene are still in progress,” he said.
The Head of Subang Police, Commissioner Dony Eko Wicaksono, added that the burned styrofoam is not part of the electric vehicle components, but rather a material that has been in the area of the building’s roof from the beginning. To determine why the material caught fire, the police are still conducting an investigation.
“We sent the Inafis team to the scene,” he said.
In this regard, Dony urged the public not to disseminate unverified information on social media related to the incident. The aim is to prevent causing unrest within the community.
“Personnel from the Cipeundeuy Police Station and the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Subang Police have conducted a crime scene investigation and taken witness statements,” he added.
The fire caused a stir on social media as it occurred at the construction site of the BYD electric car factory, one of the largest electric vehicle investments in Indonesia.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), BYD Indonesia aims to produce 150,000 units per year in the initial phase this year. BKPM stated that this increase in production capacity has the potential to create up to 18,814 jobs.
Writer:
Fabio Maria Lopes CostaEditor:
Cornelius Helmy Herlambang