Jakarta Office Fire: Eyewitness Describes Harrowing Scene as Police Probe Cause of Tragic Blaze

A devastating fire that engulfed a commercial office building in Jakarta has left 22 people dead and many others injured, authorities confirmed. The tragic incident, which unfolded rapidly on Monday evening, has shocked residents and raised questions about safety standards in the bustling Indonesian capital.

Eyewitness: “I saw about 20 victims in body bags being evacuated”

One eyewitness, who arrived at the scene moments after the fire was contained, described a horrifying sight.

“I saw about 20 victims in the body bags being evacuated from inside,” the resident recounted, visibly shaken by the magnitude of the tragedy.

Thick smoke billowed from the building as emergency crews worked through the night, combing each floor for survivors and retrieving the bodies of those who succumbed to the flames.

Police Suggest Possible Cause of the Fire

Investigators from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police say preliminary assessments point to a possible electrical fault as the cause of the fire. Early reports indicate that the blaze may have started in one of the building’s lower floors before spreading rapidly through office partitions and stored materials.

Authorities, however, noted that a full forensic investigation is underway to determine the exact cause and whether negligence or structural issues played a role

Multiple Injuries Reported

Aside from the confirmed fatalities, several individuals sustained severe burns and smoke inhalation injuries. Emergency responders rushed the victims to nearby hospitals, where many remain in critical condition

.Local clinics have also been overwhelmed as distressed families search for loved ones who were in the building during the incident.

Community in Shock

Residents living near the office space said they heard loud cracks and saw flames shooting from the windows before firefighters arrived. Videos shared online captured the chaotic scene as people fled for safety, some crying out for friends and colleagues trapped inside

.Authorities have cordoned off the area as recovery efforts continue and building inspectors begin assessing safety compliance.

Government Answers

Jakarta’s local government officials have pledged a thorough investigation and vowed to strengthen enforcement of building codes to prevent similar tragedies

.More updates are expected as police complete their forensic analysis and release detailed findings.

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Eunice Awino Awino

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