Rano's Heartbreaking Ordeal as Six Family Homes Burn Down in Gandamekar, Bekasi

A fire at a waste storage warehouse caused several homes in the densely populated Gandamekar area of Cikarang Barat, Bekasi Regency, to catch fire. A resident named Rano (33) recounted that his own house and five belonging to his family were destroyed by the blaze.

Rano said that in the morning, he detected the smell of burning cables coming from the waste warehouse 30 metres from his home. He checked the warehouse but found no electrical short circuit.

“From morning, I smelled burning cables, a pungent odour. I checked but there was no short circuit,” Rano told detikcom on Sunday (31 May 2026).

The fire broke out around 5:30 PM. He was shocked when neighbours shouted “fire!”

Rano and local residents tried to extinguish the flames, but the fire quickly grew larger.

“We doused it, but the fire wouldn’t go out—it spread rapidly and intensified,” Rano said.

Rano then retrieved his valuables, including electronics, vehicles, and important documents. The fire swiftly engulfed his home, and five more belonging to his grandmother, parents, and relatives were also consumed.

“My house’s kitchen and bathroom burned, the roof collapsed. My grandmother’s house was also destroyed; all six family homes were lost,” Rano explained.

He said his house was still habitable for sleeping tonight, but the conditions were unsuitable due to power cuts and water damage from firefighting efforts.

Previously, the waste warehouse in the densely populated Gandamekar area caught fire, destroying seven houses.

“Seven houses were destroyed,” said Gandamekar’s Binmaspol officer, Aiptu Giri, to detikcom on Sunday (31 May).

The fire erupted in the afternoon around 4:30 PM. Upon receiving the report, firefighters immediately rushed to the scene.

“Ten fire engines were deployed,” Giri added.

Giri confirmed no casualties from the incident. Firefighters are currently cooling down the site.

“No casualties,” he stated firmly.