Restaurant kitchen fire in Menteng sparked by embers from grill

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Central Jakarta Fire and Rescue Sub-Department (Gulkarmat) has stated that the fire which broke out in a restaurant kitchen in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta was caused by residual embers from a meat grill.

Triyanto, Head of Operations at the Central Jakarta Gulkarmat Sub-Department, explained that the fire occurred at the Steak & Bakery building located in Gang Indramayu RT 02/RW 05, Menteng Sub-district, Central Jakarta, on Monday (20 July) in the evening. The incident was believed to have originated from grill embers drawn up through the flue.

“According to information at the scene, while an employee was cleaning meat on the grill, residual embers from the burning were sucked into the kitchen blower, causing the fire to grow,” Triyanto said in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday.

Triyanto explained that the fire report was received by officers through the 112 emergency service at 17.55 Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

One minute later, at 17.56 WIB, two fire engines were dispatched as the initial deployment to the scene.

Officers arrived at the location at 18.00 WIB and immediately began extinguishing operations one minute later.

To expedite the response, the number of vehicles was later increased to six units, involving 30 personnel.

The fire was successfully localised at 18.35 WIB, while cooling operations began at 18.50 WIB to ensure no remaining hotspots and to prevent the fire from reigniting.

Triyanto said the cause of the fire was suspected to be residual embers from the grill reaching the flue, sparking flames in the kitchen area.

Throughout the cooling process, officers remained at the scene to ensure conditions were completely safe.

Meanwhile, the estimated losses from the fire are still being assessed.

“The fire gutted a kitchen area of approximately 100 square metres. However, there were no fatalities or injuries in the incident,” he said.