Seven Houses Destroyed in Sodonghilir Fire, One Firefighter Injured
A major fire struck a residential area in Kampung Satron, Parumasan Village, Sodonghilir District, Tasikmalaya Regency, on Wednesday (5/8) afternoon. The incident destroyed seven stilt houses, razing them to the ground, and left one firefighter injured.
Head of the Tasikmalaya Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Roni AKS, confirmed that the fire affected 25 people from seven households. The victims have been forced to take shelter in emergency tents after losing their homes and belongings.
The firefighting operation, which continued until late at night, was marked by an incident in which a firefighter fell. “BPBD personnel, firefighters, together with the TNI, Polri, and assisted by residents, worked to extinguish the flames, but one officer was injured after falling into a well,” Roni said on Thursday (6/8).
Roni explained that the prolonged dry season was the main obstacle in extinguishing the fire. Water sources around the location were reported to be dry, forcing firefighters to seek water supplies from a considerable distance. The situation was worsened by the shrinking water levels in several rivers in the area.
According to BPBD data, the seven houses that burned down belonged to Yana, Mumus, Ihak, Nunung, Oni, Atar, and Aap. Preliminary suspicion suggests the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit from one of the houses.
Sodonghilir Police Chief, Inspector Caryadi, added that initial investigations indicate the fire originated from Yana’s house before spreading to other buildings nearby. “Although there were no fatalities in this incident, the material losses are quite substantial because residents’ homes were razed to the ground,” he explained.
At present, the displaced residents urgently need assistance in the form of clothing, blankets, ready-to-eat food, toiletries, and school supplies for children. Authorities are continuing to collect data and coordinate the distribution of logistical aid to the evacuation site in Kampung Satron.