Rahmat Hidayat – A major fire swept through a densely populated residential area in Indonesia's Central Jakarta on Monday night, destroying approximately 250 semi-permanent structures and displacing hundreds of residents, police said.
The fire broke out at around 9:10 p.m. local time in the Kemayoran Gempol neighborhood behind Pasar Jiung market in Kebon Kosong Village, Kemayoran District, according to Indonesian police.
Central Jakarta Police Chief Kombes Pol. Reynold E P Hutagalung said authorities received reports of the incident at approximately 9:15 p.m. and immediately deployed emergency personnel to assist firefighting efforts and evacuate residents.
"We received reports of a fire in the Kebon Kosong Kemayoran area during the evening and immediately deployed joint personnel together with firefighters to handle the situation," Reynold said in a statement on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Police said the blaze is believed to have originated in two residential houses before rapidly spreading across the tightly packed settlement.
Approximately 200 police officers were deployed to assist residents in salvaging belongings and securing the affected area during emergency operations.
"We deployed around 200 personnel to help residents evacuate their belongings and ensure the response process proceeded safely and smoothly," Reynold said.
Authorities also coordinated with the Mobile Brigade Corps of the Greater Jakarta Regional Police to establish a field kitchen for displaced residents. Emergency shelters have been erected in the Kebon Kosong area to accommodate affected families.
"We have also established temporary shelters in Kebon Kosong for affected residents so they can receive temporary accommodation," Reynold said.
Preliminary data indicate that around 300 households, representing approximately 500 residents, were affected by the fire.
Three people suffered injuries during the incident. Two victims, identified as Puput and Dika, were treated at Hermina Kemayoran Hospital, while another victim, Suparno, was transferred to Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital in Jakarta.
According to witness testimony provided by Darni, an official from Neighborhood Association RW 04, flames were first spotted at approximately 9:00 p.m. originating from two houses located behind her residence.
Residents initially attempted to extinguish the fire using three portable fire extinguishers owned by the neighborhood administration office. However, the flames quickly intensified and spread throughout the settlement.
Police said the fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, although the exact cause remains under investigation.