In the heart of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, a massive fire ravaged a fuel storage depot, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. The blaze, which broke out on Friday night, killed at least 18 people and left more than a dozen others missing, with many feared to have been trapped under the rubble. The Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-run oil and gas company Pertamina, is located near a densely populated area in the Tanah Merah neighborhood and supplies 25% of Indonesia’s fuel needs.
The fire itself was a behemoth, engulfing the area for over two hours and taking a team of at least 260 firefighters and 52 fire engines to extinguish just before midnight. Footage captured the scene, showing hundreds of people running in panic as thick plumes of black smoke and orange flames filled the sky. Residents living near the depot reported smelling a strong odor of petrol, followed by a huge explosion, which marked the beginning of the fire’s rapid spread.
Sri Haryati, a mother of three, described the chaos as the fire began to spread, saying “I was crying and immediately grabbed our valuable documents and ran with my husband and children.” She added that she heard smaller blasts that echoed across the area as orange flames leapt from the depot. As the fire raged on, several houses were destroyed, leaving many in the surrounding areas without a place to call their own.
Indonesian Capital Jakarta Gripped by Devastating Fire
Rescuers are working tirelessly to search for 16 people reported missing or separated from their families, with 42 others receiving treatment in five hospitals, some of whom are in critical condition. National Police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo said that more than 1,300 people were displaced and taking shelter in 10 government offices, a Red Cross command post, and a sports stadium. Investigators are still working to establish the cause of the fire, questioning dozens of witnesses and piecing together what happened in the lead-up to the disaster.
As the investigation continues, the full extent of the damage remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the people of Jakarta will not soon forget the night a seemingly ordinary fuel storage depot in their midst transformed into a scene of devastation and despair.
