Post by : Meena Ariff

A major tragedy unfolded in central Jakarta on Tuesday as a massive fire swept through a seven-storey office building, killing 22 people and injuring others. Investigators suspect the blaze began after a drone battery exploded on the ground floor, triggering a chain reaction that quickly engulfed the structure.

The building housed a company involved in agricultural drone services. According to police sources, the explosion is believed to have occurred shortly before lunch, giving little time for occupants to escape as fire and smoke spread upward through the building.

A witness at the scene said the flames had already turned intense by the time firefighters arrived. The entrance door was shut, and when responders broke in, the fire had already grown uncontrollably. Firefighters battled the blaze using 29 fire trucks and a crew of over a hundred personnel.

Authorities confirmed that among the 22 victims were 15 women, including one who was pregnant. A local police commander sustained injuries while assisting in the evacuation efforts. Most of those who died did not suffer burn injuries, indicating they most likely lost their lives due to suffocation from thick smoke trapped inside the building.

Footage from the site showed the outer structure badly charred, with shattered windows and heavy smoke residue. Firefighters used large industrial fans to reduce the heat and smoke inside, making it possible for further search operations.

Police have begun questioning the company’s owner, building owner, and multiple witnesses in an effort to determine whether negligence played a role. Officials say the investigation will explore all angles, including possible failures in battery storage, safety equipment, or building preparedness.

Deadly fire incidents are not rare in Indonesia, where commercial safety standards are frequently questioned. Last year alone, an explosion at a nickel-processing plant claimed a dozen lives, raising ongoing concerns about industrial safety.

Authorities are now focused on cooling the affected floors and clearing dense fumes before conducting a final sweep to ensure no additional victims remain inside. Investigators are awaiting forensic assessments to confirm the chain of events that led to the deadly disaster.

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