Children Mentally Disturbed Playing Matches, Houses In Gambir Burnt Out

Residents tried to extinguish the fire in Kebon Kelapa Village, Gambir District, Central Jakarta, February 27 (Rizky Sulistio/VOI)

JAKARTA - A semi-permanent house located in a densely populated area of Jalan Juanda 1, Gang Ceylon, RT 03/04, Kebon Kelapa Village, Gambir District, Central Jakarta, caught fire on Tuesday, February 26.

The flames were caused by a match that was played by the mental retardation of the residents of the burning house. Luckily, the fire was successfully extinguished by residents and firefighters before a bridge occurred to other buildings.

"The fire has been extinguished, we have deployed 3 fire engines with 12 personnel. The object caught fire in a resident's house," said Head of Central Jakarta Gulkarmat Sub-dept., Asril Rizal when confirmed by VOI, Tuesday, February 27.

Asril explained that the cause of the fire was because of a match. The fire had burned building materials covering an area of 12 square meters.

"Children who have mental limitations are playing with matches. Then they grabbed flammable materials," he said.

As a result of the fire, the loss was estimated at IDR 10 million. The number of heads of families living in the location of the fire was 1 head of the family with 2 people.

"No injuries or deaths. The fire was successfully extinguished," he said.