Garut Police Investigate Fire Elements At Dr Slamet Hospital

The police conducted an examination at the location of the fire at Dr. Slamet Hospital, Garut Regency, West Java, Monday (2/10/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Humas Garut Police)

The Garut Police are investigating whether there was an element of intent in the fire incident at the Dr. Slamet Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Garut Regency.

Garut Police Chief AKBP Rohman Yonky Dilatha said his party coordinated with the forensic team in the investigation.

"We have also coordinated with the forensic laboratory to find out the cause of the fire," he said in Garut, West Java, Monday, October 2, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that his staff had been dispatched to provide security when they received reports of a fire incident at Dr. Slamet Garut Hospital, Sunday, October 1, at around 12.00 WIB, until the fire was finally extinguished.

The police have also processed the crime scene (TKP) by asking for information from a number of witnesses at the scene. In addition, the police have recorded what caught fire in the building where the items were stored.

"While we are still collecting data related to witnesses who were at the crime scene, who saw firsthand, then we also recorded the burning items," he said.

He conveyed that the Garut Police had installed a police line at the location of the fire and the area affected by the fire for the purposes of further investigation and the examination process by the forensic team.

The incident, said Rohman, did not cause any casualties, but there was damage to the building and indoor medical equipment. Patients who had been evacuated have also returned to the treatment room.

"The treatment place has been returned, but those affected need to clean up first," he said.

Meanwhile, Garut Regent Rudy Gunawan gave it entirely to the police to find out the cause of the fire at Dr. Slamet Garut Hospital. Regarding the results, Rudy said this would be conveyed by the police to the public.

"That the cause is the Chief of Police who will make a statement. This one (or) two days may already exist," he explained.

The fire that occurred in one of the rooms at Dr. Slamet Garut Hospital caused thick puffs of smoke and was clearly seen outside the hospital area.

A number of patients in the treatment room who were not far from the location of the fire were evacuated to a safe place until the fire was successfully extinguished on Sunday at around 15.00 WIB.