A massive fire ripped through the Jiung Market in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Monday night (June 1) and destroyed hundreds of buildings and displaced hundreds of people. Emergency workers battled the fire for more than 7 hours before it was extinguished.
The fire spread quickly across the densely populated market area, prompting authorities to deploy 35 fire engines and around 175 firefighters to contain it, media reported. Smoke and flames billowing out from the fire had people running out of their homes and businesses.
Deputy Governor Rano Karno, who visited the area yesterday, said preliminary assessments indicate that the fire damaged approximately 304 buildings and impacted 354 households. In total, 679 residents have been affected by the disaster.
According to the preliminary assessment, “Based on the preliminary assessment, the fire affected nearly 304 buildings, 354 households, and 679 residents,” Rano said.
Much of the damage has left many families homeless, and authorities have been trying to coordinate relief efforts and temporary housing for those who are displaced by the fire. Emergency workers worked last night to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby houses.
They have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but Rano said electrical short circuits are responsible for almost 95 per cent of the fire incidents in Jakarta.
The blaze is one of the biggest urban fires that have struck the Indonesian capital in recent months and only adds to concerns about fire safety in densely populated residential and commercial areas.
Local officials are continuing damage assessments and will provide further updates on recovery and assistance measures for affected residents in the coming days.
