Tanah Sereal Ward Head Says Fire Victims Reject Evacuation, This is the Reason

The West Jakarta Administrative City Government claims to have prepared evacuation options for residents affected by the fire on Tanah Sereal 13 Street, Tambora, West Jakarta. Tanah Sereal Ward Head, Tubagus Masarul Iman, stated that they have provided the Tanah Sereal Ward Office Hall as a temporary shelter. “We have offered to stay temporarily in the Tanah Sereal Ward Office Hall until there is a meeting with the garment workshop owner, but the residents are unwilling,” said Tubagus when confirmed on Monday (23/3/2026). Tubagus explained that the residents’ rejection is due to the distance factor. They consider the location of the Tanah Sereal Ward Office on KH. Moh Mansyur Street too far from their settlement on Tanah Sereal 13 Street. Due to this rejection, the ward hall is currently not being used as an evacuation site. All affected residents choose to stay in their respective homes or stay with nearby relatives. “Until now, no one is at the Ward Office,” said Tubagus. Iin stated that they have coordinated with the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) while seeking solutions together with the garment business owner suspected to be the source of the fire. He has also instructed the Tanah Sereal Ward Head to facilitate communication between residents and the business party. “Later, it will be discussed with Baznas and the garment business owner who caused the fire,” said Iin. Although understanding the residents’ desire for their homes to be rebuilt as before, Iin emphasised that the responsibility for construction lies with the business owner, not the local government. “If the government builds it, it’s impossible, because this is the negligence of the garment business owner. As for Baznas, it is in the nature of assistance; we, the city government, only follow up on the incident for the residents’ safety,” he explained.