Sorrow behind fires in Jakarta's densely populated areas

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Fires in Jakarta can erupt at any moment, regardless of the season, with nearly daily occurrences reported in several densely populated areas of the city.

The dry and rainy seasons fail to prevent these destructive fires from scorching and devastating landed houses or multi-storey buildings.

These fires do not just affect one or two buildings; they can damage hundreds. The buildings destroyed served as homes and shelters for residents from the scorching sun and heavy rainfall.

Recently, a fire ravaged a densely populated area in Kebon Kosong Village, Kemayoran Sub-district, Central Jakarta, where 543 houses were destroyed by flames.

This fire was not an isolated event. Prior to the early morning fire in Kebon Kosong Village on Tuesday (January 21), a similar disaster occurred on Wednesday (January 15), burning 30 semi-permanent houses.

Furthermore, a month before the incident that ravaged 534 houses, another fire broke out nearby, destroying more than 200 semi-permanent homes that accommodated around 1,800 people.

The damage caused by these fires extends beyond semi-permanent structures and crowded neighborhoods, impacting even multi-storey buildings. Tragically, 14 individuals were reported missing after that incident.

A community in mourning

All disasters bring sorrow to those affected, and this has been especially true for the survivors of the fires in Kebon Kosong Village.

One resident, Adin, shared his bewilderment and grief at witnessing the flames destroy the home he had lived in for decades.

His sorrow was palpable as the 50-year-old recounted his experience. Although he did not shed tears, his heavy tone conveyed the anguish of losing his family's belongings.

Adin reflected on that fateful early morning of January 21, stating he was unaware of the unfolding fire when it began. The last thing he recalled was hearing his family and neighbors scream after he had fallen asleep from exhaustion following a long workday.

The terrified screams of residents that night continue to haunt him, amplifying his daily anxiety.

Adin also attempted to save the cart he used to sell chicken noodles, but the intensity of the flames prevented him from doing so.

Another resident, Lastri, faced a similar tragedy. Her home was reduced to ashes, and everything she owned was lost. Fortunately, she managed to grab some important documents before fleeing with her children and husband from the raging fire.

Now, she must come to terms with her situation, compounded by the loss of all her husband's work tools in the fire.

The grief caused by the fire extends beyond just these two individuals. Thousands of other residents are now forced to seek refuge in temporary evacuation tents.

Frequent fires

The Jakarta Fire and Rescue Office (Gulkarmat) has reported that fires occur frequently, potentially five times daily throughout the year.

In just 2024, some 1,970 fire incidents were reported in Jakarta, covering both major and minor events.

This data underscores Jakarta's susceptibility to fire disasters, a pressing concern that all stakeholders, especially local communities, must take seriously.

According to Gulkarmat's data, electrical short circuits are identified as the primary cause of fires, with 1,204 incidents attributed to this factor in 2024 alone, accounting for 61.12 percent of all fire occurrences.

Acting Chief of the office, Satriadi Gunawan stated that while fire incidents are unpredictable, their frequency can be mitigated through preventive measures.

Preventive steps include ensuring all electrical installations in homes meet the safety standards and using certified electronic devices with safety guarantees.

In addition, public vigilance regarding potential risks present in the surroundings is essential to minimize any hazards that could lead to fires at any time.

Minimizing fires

The Jakarta Provincial Government has initiated various measures to reduce the frequency of fire incidents. Those efforts must be sustained not only during but also well before any fire disaster strikes.

Gulkarmat acknowledged the difficulty in establishing adequate fire posts in Jakarta, as ideally, each urban village should have one. Currently, there are 172 fire posts covering 267 urban villages in Jakarta.

To address this issue, Gulkarmat is working on increasing the number of fire posts and has begun installing 42 hydrant points in fire-prone areas.

Gulkarmat is also committed to implementing a range of comprehensive prevention and mitigation strategies to enhance resident safety and reduce fire risks.

Furthermore, the office aims to ensure that each neighborhood (RT) has at least two portable fire extinguishers. However, these efforts will be ineffective without active public awareness and participation.

"The community's role is crucial so that the fire does not extend. When the fire is small, it is the community's responsibility to act. By the time the fire brigade arrives, it may already have grown out of control," Gulkarmat's acting chief, Gunawan, stressed.

In light of ongoing fire incidents in Jakarta, especially in crowded areas, residents should replace electrical systems that pose fire risks by switching to using national standard-certified cables and carefully selecting safe electronic devices.

Jakarta cannot allow fires to become a regular issue without dedicated efforts for improvement from all sectors of society.