Confessing Sumi, Tanah Abang Fire Victim Who Claims To Pay IDR 400 Thousand Per Month For A 3x4 Meter House

Fire Victims in semi-permanent residential areas in Tanah Abang/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA The victims of a fire in the RT 03/05 area, South Petojo Village, Gambir District, Central Jakarta, lamented their charred houses as a result of being engulfed in flames. They are sad because their homes are now only debris and black charcoal.

Tuesday, February 28, in the midst of the heavy rain that hit Tanah Abang, the fire victims were seen taking shelter from the rain. They leaned on a black wall with a piece of asbestos to be protected from the rain.

"After all, none of them were carried away by clothes and goods," said Sumi (45), one of the fire victims.

The big fire incident that occurred on Sunday, February 26, two days ago, eliminated all property and residents' objects in an instant. Although Sumi only signed with her family, all her valuables had been burned.

"I took care of my brother's house. Currently, I have not received school uniform assistance. The problem is that my child's school uniform was burned down," he said.

Sumi revealed that the rent she pays once a month is Rp. 400 thousand, now it has been flattened to the ground.

"Here I have contracted for 2 years, a month to pay 400 thousand. The rental is about 3 x 4 meters in size. I'm still looking for the rest of the goods to eat. I don't know if there is assistance or not, only if ordinary clothes and food are already there," said Sumi.

The fire scorched 50 semi-permanent houses belonging to residents on Jalan Abdul Muis, RT 03/03, South Petojo Village, Gambir District, Central Jakarta. The incident was caused by a gas stove belonging to residents who forgot to turn it off.

The big fire was extinguished on Monday, February 27, early in the morning at 01.18 WIB. The fire was extinguished by 28 fire engines with 111 personnel.

"The obstacle in extinguishing the fire was due to narrow road access. The burned location was 5000 square meters due to the gas stove that forgot to turn off," said Head of Central Jakarta Gulkarmat Sub-dept. Asril Rizal, Monday, February 27.