The Cause Of The Tangerang Class I Prison Fire That Killed 41 People, Allegedly Due To An Electric Short Circuit

JAKARTA - Metro Jaya Police Chief Inspector General Fadil Imran said an electrical short was suspected to be the cause of the fire at the Class I Correctional Institution (Lapas) Tangerang. However, this allegation needs to be investigated further.

"Based on initial observations, it is reasonable to suspect that there was a short circuit in the electric current, which will be investigated later," Fadil told reporters, Wednesday, September 8.

In determining the cause of the fire, continued Fadil, the National Police Laboratory for Research and Development will be deployed to thoroughly investigate. In fact, general criminal investigation units from the Polda and Polres were deployed to find out other possible causes.

"The team from the National Police Headquarters Puslabfor from the General Criminal Directorate of Polda Metro Jaya together with the Tangerang Police Satreskrim are working marathons to find out the cause of the fire," said Fadil.

On the other hand, Fadil said that the current condition has been resolved. All inmates have been evacuated and secured.

"The situation in the Tangerang prison is under control, other inmates are also under the control of friends from the Director General of PAS, then there is internal security we have strengthened the security from the National Police, there are 150 people, the members of the Police that we send here consist of Brimob, Sabhara, and the Tangerang Police." said Fadil. Previously, the Tangerang Class I Prison was on Wednesday, September 8, in the early hours of the morning. As a result of the fire, 41 inmates died.

In addition, it was recorded that 8 inmates suffered serious injuries and 72 inmates suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.