At least 14 people were killed and dozens more were hurt when a large fire at a fuel storage depot in the capital of Indonesia on Friday forced the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents after spreading to their neighborhood, according to officials.
The fuel storage facility, run by the government-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, is located in North Jakarta’s Tanah Merah neighborhood close to a densely populated area. 25% of Indonesia’s fuel requirements are met by it.
According to fire officials, the nearby neighborhood fire was being fought by at least 180 firefighters and 37 fire engines.
On television, footage of the fire showed hundreds of residents fleeing in fear as firefighters battled the blaze amid massive plumes of black smoke and orange flames.
According to a preliminary investigation, the fire started when a pipeline ruptured during a downpour, possibly as a result of a lightning strike, according to Eko Kristiawan, the area manager for Pertamina.
He claimed that the fire wouldn’t affect the nation’s fuel supply.
The head of Jakarta’s fire and rescue department, Satriadi Gunawan, reported that residents of the residential area were still being taken to a nearby village hall and mosque as they were being evacuated.
According to Gunawan, the fire started several explosions and quickly spread to houses.
At least 14 people were confirmed dead and 42 admitted to hospitals, some with severe burns, according to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dudung Abdurachman, who visited the scene.
