Explosion Sounds Before Tangerang Prison Fire Denied, Police Busy Investigating Allegations Of Negligence

JAKARTA - Allegations of a criminal act behind the deadly fire incident at the Tangerang Class I Penitentiary are still being investigated. One of them is related to the alleged negligence of officers who caused the fire.

"Yes, yes (the officer's alleged negligence)", said the Metro Jaya Police's General Crime Investigation Officer, Kombes Tubagus Ade Hidayat when contacted, Thursday, September 9.

However, Tubagus did not want to convey the provisional results of the investigation process. The reason is that the process of examining witnesses and collecting evidence is still ongoing.

"It's just that the examinations haven't finished yet. Don't rush things", said Tubagus.

Meanwhile, when asked about the information circulating about the sound of explosions before the fire appeared, Tabagus denied it. From the results of the examination of the witnesses, this matter was not found.

"Nothing", said Tubagus.

Previously, it was suspected that there was a criminal element behind the fire incident.

However, further investigation is needed to prove it. In the evidentiary process, witness examinations were also carried out. So far, dozens of witnesses have been questioned.

"Currently we are conducting (examining) 20 witnesses", said Tubagus.

The dozens of witnesses consisted of guard officers, residents, and inmates. The examination was also carried out at the Tangerang Metro Police.

"(Witness) was the guard picket last night, then the second one was (resident) in the vicinity and the third is the resident in the block who can still be questioned", said Tubagus.