Terrifying Fire in Tank Containers at Priok Leads to Explosions
Dozens of ISO tank containers caught fire at the New Prikadot Container Terminal One (NPCT1) area in Cilincing, North Jakarta. The fire was accompanied by a series of explosions.
The fire occurred on Monday (21/09/2026) at approximately 15:44 WIB. Firefighting efforts were carried out by fire brigade officers and port authorities.
Officers from the Jakarta Disaster Management, Fire, and Rescue Service (Gulkarmat) began firefighting operations at 15:55 WIB. In addition to the explosions, the fire triggered thick black smoke.
The fire was located at NPCT1, Jalan Terminal Kalibaru Raya Kavling B No 1, Kalibaru Village, Cilincing, North Jakarta. The fire suppression operation was declared complete at 18:56 WIB.
“In handling the fire, 14 fire engine units with 70 personnel were deployed from the North Jakarta region,” stated the Jakarta Gulkarmat Command Centre.
Dozens of Tank Containers Burned
The Tanjung Priok Port Police (Polres) are investigating the cause of the fire at the NPCT1 Kalibaru Terminal. Dozens of objects were burned at the port.
“So far, 51 isotanks and one DG (Dangerous Goods) container unit have been burned,” said Tanjung Priok Port Police Chief, AKBP Alrasyidin Fajri, on Tuesday (22/09/2026).
The Tanjung Priok Port Police have coordinated with the Indonesian National Police Forensic Laboratory (Labfor) for further investigation.
“Further details will be provided as the investigation process continues,” he added.
Suspected Cause of Fire
He stated that the firefighting process involved 14 fire engines from Pelindo, NPCT1, and the North Jakarta Municipal Government. Police have visited the scene and will conduct a crime scene investigation (TKP) once the situation at the location allows.
“We have installed police lines at the location, and once the area has cooled down, we will conduct the crime scene investigation,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Tanjung Priok Port Police, AKP AA Ngurah Made Pandu Prabawa.
Police suspect the fire was triggered by one of the containers containing crude oil. The fire was also suspected to have been exacerbated by hot weather.
“The burning objects are suspected to be from the cargo of one container containing highly flammable crude oil,” he said.
No Casualties
Previously, ISO tank containers caught fire at the New Priok Container Terminal One (NPCT1). Management confirmed that there were no fatalities in the fire at Tanjung Priok Port.
“There were no casualties in the incident,” said NPCT1 Corporate Planning Manager, Christine Margaretha Manasseh.
She stated that officers are currently conducting the cooling phase at the site of the fire, which is expected to take one hour.
“The current update is that fire handling has entered the cooling stage, being carried out by NPCT1 alongside relevant parties,” said Christine.