St. Francis Mission Church Fire in Mimika Suspected Caused by Unextinguished Altar Candle

A fire broke out at St. Francis Catholic Mission Church in Pomako LS RT 03 village, East Mimika District, Mimika Regency, Central Papua. Police Sector Chief of Pomoko Port Area, Inspector Fits Gerald M Nalohy, stated that witness accounts indicated thick smoke followed by flames originating inside the church, which quickly consumed the roof and walls. Strong easterly winds accelerated the fire’s spread, engulfing the entire wooden-structured building. ‘Witnesses immediately shouted for nearby residents to assist in extinguishing the flames, but the fire had already grown too large, rapidly consuming the entire church structure due to its predominantly wooden, wooden planks, and woven bamboo construction which is highly flammable,’ he said in Timika on Wednesday (27 May). During the fire, the sea level at Pomako village was low, hindering residents’ access to water for firefighting efforts. Police Sector Chief Fits Gerald M Nalohy said information gathered from church officials suggested the fire likely started from a candle lit before the altar for prayer, which was left unextinguished. Four fire engines arrived at the scene and immediately began firefighting operations. There were no casualties or injuries, with material losses estimated at hundreds of millions of rupiah, including the church building, altar table, worship chairs, hymn books, and liturgical equipment. Residents hope for assistance to rebuild the church as a place of worship for the community in Pomako village. He added that based on information collection, site inspections, and statements from residents and church officials, the primary cause of the fire was an improperly extinguished candle placed in an unsafe location.