UPN Geologists Discover Methane Source Behind 39 Fires at Seyegan House

Geologists from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) Veteran Yogyakarta have discovered a gas source suspected of causing repeated fires at the residence of Mutfiana, a resident of Seyegan in Sleman. The Dean of the Faculty of Mineral and Energy Technology (FTME) at UPN Veteran Yogyakarta, Professor Dr. Ir. RM. Basuki Rahmad, stated that his team had inspected the house. ‘We inspected Mr. Agus’s house, which has been experiencing repeated gas emissions causing fires. When we arrived, the flames had already been extinguished. We then conducted an investigation to find the source of the ignition,’ Basuki said at the site on Saturday, 30 May 2026. Following their investigation, Basuki and his team found indications that the gas source is located in a river area approximately 300 metres from the house. At this site, there is a dark-coloured rock outcrop with stagnant water emitting gas bubbles. ‘We found gas bubbles which strongly indicate methane, CH4. It is precisely beneath the Nepen Road bridge,’ he said. Basuki then conducted a simple check using a PVC pipe to assess gas pressure. The results indicated relatively low pressure, though gas was still visibly emerging from beneath the water surface. ‘So, the first indication, as this is still an initial investigation, is that the gas source is methane from a swamp. This strongly suggests the area was once a swamp,’ he explained. According to Basuki, the dark-coloured rocks found at the site are suspected to store methane gas. He said that when the rocks are saturated, gas continues to escape and migrate through underground cracks and fissures. Basuki also noted that his team found indications of fracture or fault lines running northward, which are suspected to be the migration path of the gas leading to the resident’s house. ‘We also found fault lines and cracks running northward, and these are strongly suspected to be the migration path leading to Mr. Agus’s house,’ he said. ‘The current situation is relatively safe as gas emissions and flames have ceased. However, a joint team will continue monitoring for about a month to ensure stability,’ Basuki said. ‘The gas appears to have decreased, with no signs of fire. We hope to wait for about a month. If there are no more gas emissions, this incident may be classified as moderate or minor,’ he added. Basuki added that initial checks showed the gas has low pressure and is not particularly dangerous. ‘But essentially, God willing, this gas is not dangerous as it has low pressure,’ he concluded. Previously reported, repeated fires have occurred at Mutfiana’s residence in Seyegan, Sleman, over the past week. Gegana police units have inspected the site, and Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has deployed several experts to uncover the cause of the mysterious fires. The fires began on Saturday, 23 May, and occurred 39 times by Thursday, 28 May. The flames consumed fabrics, furniture, and other flammable items within the house. ‘In total, 39 fires occurred at 34 different points. Furniture, clothes, mats, and other flammable items were burnt. But it’s strange—the upper parts burned while the lower parts remained intact,’ Mutfiana said at her home on Thursday, 28 May 2026. Mutfiana reported the unusual incident to the police. Gegana units were deployed, and they concluded that a septic tank leak was causing flammable methane gas. Mutfiana promptly repaired the septic tank, but fires continued to erupt unexpectedly. ‘We have followed all Gegana’s recommendations. Clothes have been evacuated, but fires still occur,’ she said. She then consulted the police again. According to Gegana, the fires persist because residual methane gas has not fully dissipated. ‘Gegana said it’s just the remaining gas from underground. Methane could take weeks or months to dissipate,’ she added. Mutfiana and her husband and child have temporarily evacuated at night. However, the building, which also serves as a chicken slaughterhouse, is guarded every night. ‘We’re staying next door for now, not too far away. But we keep watch beside the house. If we don’t spot it in time, everything gets burnt,’ she said. Geology and Nuclear Experts Deployed Several experts will be deployed to investigate the recurring fires at Mutfiati’s residence. UGM has sent seven specialists to uncover the cause of the mysterious fires. Professor Alva Edy Tontowi, coordinator of the UGM Faculty of Engineering’s Entropy Deceleration Research Centre (PKPE), said seven experts from four departments will conduct observations. The seven experts are from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Nuclear Engineering and Physics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Geology. ‘There are seven people. We’ll observe tomorrow,’ Professor Alva told journalists on Friday, 29 May 2026. ‘The observation will focus on the source, the fire sites, and the surrounding environment,’ he said. Alva said such incidents are not unprecedented. Similar phenomena have occurred before and can be explained scientifically. ‘There are cases of methane gas, biogas, and others. Some involve petrol station leaks, among other things,’ said the professor from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Therefore, the investigation into the source and cause of the Seyegan fires is being conducted to prevent public confusion. ‘The public gets confused, wondering what the cause is. This is from F’