Antara, Jakarta – At least 10 people were found dead after several leased houses were fully engulfed in flame in Matraman, East Jakarta early on Thursday.

The massive fire broke out in a densely populated neighborhood on Jalan Pisangan Baru. The Jakarta Fire Department said the first report of the incident arrived at around 4.50 a.m.

"A row of five leased houses burned out," Gatoto Sulaeman, the department's operational chief, was quoted by Antara news agency as saying at the scene.

"Witnesses said they saw a massive fire. The victims were trapped inside along with their wives and children," Gatot added. At least 15 people lived in the leased houses, he said.

Gatot speculated that an electrical faulty could have sparked the massive fire, but investigation is under way to determine the cause.

Art least 14 fire trucks have been deployed to the area to control the blaze. Bodies of the victims, aged between 1.5 and 50 years old, were put in orange body bags.

A video released by the Jakarta Fire Department shows firemen carry body bags through a narrow path between homes in the densely-populated neighborhood.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/house-fire-kills-ten-in-east-jakart