Population-Intensive Settlements With Semi-Permanent Building Materials With Potential Fires

Firefighters extinguish fires in densely populated settlements/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - Fires often occur in densely populated settlements with semi-permanent building materials. Based on reports of fires that occurred in the Jakarta area and its surroundings, the cause of the fire in the semi-permanent residential area was due to human negligence factors plus flammable building materials.

Head of the Central Jakarta Fire and Rescue (Gulkarmat) Sub-dept., Asril Rizal, explained that the cause of the severe fire was due to an electrical short circuit and a gas cylinder leak. Plus building materials that are flammable around him.

"Usually the fire is caused by an electrical short circuit. Residents must maintain the use of electricity in the sense that the plugs do not pile up. They do not use electricity cables that are not SNI standards," Asril told VOI, Thursday, February 9.

Such as the fire incident that occurred on Jalan Pembangunan 5, RT 02/03, North Petojo Village, Gambir District, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, February 8. Three semi-permanent house plots were burned down. The cause is an electrical short circuit.

Asril continued, based on reports other than due to an electrical short circuit, fires are usually caused by gas cylinder leaks. Two factors that cause the fire often occur because the occupants of the house are negligent, do not routinely check.

"The fire was also caused by stove gas, people must be diligent in seeing the stove gas. On average, they cook left behind, but the stove is still there," he said.

Asril appealed, to anticipate fires, the community must also take part in maintaining the use of electricity.

"Be careful not to let the plugs be large, the cables must also be standard SNI, don't leave the stove on while traveling, don't throw cigarette butts carelessly because it can cause fires," he said.

As an effort to anticipate fires, Central Jakarta Gulkarmat Sub-dept. officers also routinely carry out socialization around residential areas.

"Every afternoon, the Central Jakarta Gulkarmat Sub-dept. conducts woro-woro, meaning that firefighters rotate using motorbikes or cars to carry out socialization activities to remind residents of the anticipation of fires. Sometimes even officers while the Azhar prayer room reminds them through the mosque and prayer room toa," he concluded.