Jatuh Korban Jiwa, Kasus Kebakaran Megamall Manado Bakal Diusut Tuntas

JAKARTA - The Manado Police Chief, Kombes Pol Irham Halid, emphasized that the police were committed to investigating the cause of the Mega Mall fire in the Megamas area, Manado City, North Sulawesi.

"Police lines have been installed and the electricity flow in the affected area has been deliberately cut off to prevent subsequent short circuits," he said in Manado, Sunday.

The follow-up plan of the police ranks is in the form of an in-depth investigation related to the incident.

"We have coordinated with the Forensic Laboratory Team (Labfor) and Inafis of the North Sulawesi Police to immediately conduct a comprehensive crime scene (scene of the crime) once the building structure is declared completely safe and cool," he said.

In addition to investigating the cause of the fire, Samapta and Brimob personnel from the North Sulawesi Police were also alerted at strategic locations in the Megamas area.

He explained that this step was taken to anticipate severe congestion and prevent criminal acts, such as looting of store assets inside the mall.

He also asked the public to cooperate with officers by not approaching the fire ruins area for the sake of mutual safety.

"We appeal to all people to remain calm and not spread information or assumptions that have not been confirmed to be true on social media, so as not to cause public panic. Leave this handling to the police and expert team," he said.

The Manado Police Chief, Kombes Pol Irham Halid, accompanied by the Head of Public Relations of the North Sulawesi Police, Kombes Pol Alamsyah P Hasibuan, gave information regarding the emergency handling carried out by the police along with related institutions regarding the incident.

"It is true that a fire occurred at Mega Mall Manado last night. As soon as we received the report, the personnel of Polresta Manado together with the Wenang Police immediately moved quickly to the location to secure the crime scene, divert traffic, and assist in the evacuation process. In addition, there is also Ditsamapta, Ditreskrimum, Sat Brimob, and the Dokkes Division of the North Sulawesi Police," said Irham.

Based on the statements of a number of witnesses at the scene, a sudden black smoke cloud suddenly appeared in the restaurant area and the fourth floor office space.

Cleaning and security officers at the scene shouted warnings and directed hundreds of panicked visitors to descend via emergency stairs.

The situation was chaotic because the thick smoke quickly covered the field of vision and cut off access to the main road inside the building.

A total of 11 fleets of the Manado City Fire Service and one unit of the North Sulawesi Regional Police AWC were deployed to the location to tame the fury of the "red hero" until midnight.

In addition, eight ambulances were deployed, three of which came from the Health Section and Bhayangkara Hospital, Manado, to anticipate the evacuation of victims.

He confirmed that the evacuation process was carried out by combing all corners of the building. In this incident, one person was reported dead, while the other four were rescued from the smoke.

A woman with the initials PT was found dead in the building area after being trapped in the office room, while the other four people managed to save themselves.

Mega Mall Manado was hit by a fire on Saturday (16/5), around 20.45 Wita. The fire caused panic among visitors and store employees.

In response to the incident, the head of the North Sulawesi Police, Brigjen Pol Awi Setiyono, along with the main officials of the police and other personnel went to the crime scene.

Until now, the total material losses due to this major fire are still in the process of data collection and further investigation by Mega Mall management and police investigators.