Four Shophouses On OKU Trans-Sumatra Highway Burned, Suspected Due To Electrical Short Circuit

OGAN KOMERING ULU - Four shophouses (ruko) on the Trans-Sumatra Highway (Jalinsum), specifically in Simpang Bakung, East Baturaja District, Ogan Komering Ulu Regency (OKU), South Sumatra, caught fire early Sunday morning.

Three fire trucks belonging to the OKU Fire and Rescue Department (DPKP) were deployed to extinguish the fire, which broke out around 3:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

"The fire destroyed the four-door shophouse. The initial suspicion is that the fire originated from an electrical short circuit in the floor of the shophouse, which was used for electronic repairs," said Ambri, an OKU DPKP officer, when met at the location by Antara, Sunday, August 10.

Receiving reports from residents, officers moved quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding residential areas. The extinguishing process involved dozens of personnel, three fire trucks, and one water tanker.

"The fire was successfully extinguished around 4:15 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), or one hour after the fire broke out," said Ambri.

There were no fatalities in this incident. However, the ground floor of the two-story shophouse was severely damaged by the fire.

OKU Police Chief, AKBP Endro Aribowo, has yet to provide an official statement regarding the exact cause of the fire.