Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi: The Fire At Kariadi Hospital Semarang Was Triggered By A Short Circuit

Central Java Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Ahmad Luthfi during the year-end release in Semarang, Friday, December 31 (Photo: IC Senjaya/Antara)

JAKARTA - Central Java Police Chief, Inspector General Ahmad Luthfi, said an electrical short circuit or short circuit had triggered the fire in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Room of the Oncology Installation of the Dr. Kariadi Central General Hospital (RSUP), Semarang on Thursday, December 30.

This was conveyed by the Police Chief during the year-end release in Semarang, Friday, based on the results from the scene of the incident by the Central Java Police Forensic Laboratory Center.

"The official results from the forensic laboratory are that there was an electrical failure when the MRI device was operating", he said as quoted by Antara on Friday, December 31.

Shortly before the fire, according to Inspector General Police, Ahmad Luthfi, the MRI device is being used to examine a patient.

The electrical short circuit itself said the Police Chief, from the results of the inspection, occurred at the socket in the area.

The results of the examination by this forensic expert will be further strengthened by the statements of witnesses who have been questioned by the police.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Central Java Police Forensic Laboratory Center, Kombes Police Slamet Iswanto, added that there was a burn mark on one of the plugs in the room.

Moreover, according to him, the walls of the MRI room are designed from raw materials that aim to absorb sound caused by the sound of a noisy machine.

"When the tool was operated there was a gurgling sound accompanied by smoke", he said.

"Some evidence, such as charcoal ash and some equipment is suspected to be the cause of the fire", said Kombes Police Slamet Iswanto, who was also detained at the scene of the incident.

Previously, a fire hit Dr. Kariadi Central General Hospital Semarang, Thursday, December 30 night.

The starting point of the fire is thought to have started from the MRI room, which is on the west side of the Kasuari Building, Dr. Kariadi Central General Hospital.

Dozens of fire engines were deployed to extinguish the fire.