Until The Former Fire Is Non-Smoking, The Fire Truck Stands At The Jatibarang TPA Semarang

Head of the Semarang City Fire Department, Nurkholis (right) during the Jatibarang Semarang TPA fire, Monday (18/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Semarang City Government)

The Semarang City Fire Department (Damkar) continues to alert fire engines until the former fire at the Jatibarang Final Disposal Site (TPA) does not emit smoke.

"Yesterday, during the cooling conditions, we deployed eight fleets. That was for the second day," said Head of the Semarang City Fire Department, Nuckholis in Semarang, Wednesday, September 20, as reported by Antara.

On Wednesday, September 20, which entered its third day, he said, conditions at the location had started to become conducive so that only two fire engines were deployed at the Jatibarang TPA.

"It was until the smoke completely disappeared. We adjusted the conditions in the field. As long as there was no more smoke, then we pulled it all out. But, if there is still smoke, we will remain on standby at the location," he said.

As conveyed by the Mayor of Semarang Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu that the cooling process for the former fire at the Jatibarang TPA took at least a week, Nurkholis confirmed.

"Yes, we predict a week or so. However, we still see the situation and conditions that occur on the ground," he said.

A fire hit the Jatibarang TPA area, Semarang City, on Monday afternoon, September 18, with the hotspots first appearing in the former TPA at the top that spread to the bottom.

Based on witness information, the emergence of the fire in the TPA began with weeds which were then supported by strong winds causing the fire to spread quickly into the area in the garbage pile area.

There are at least two zones burned in the Jatibarang TPA reaching five hectares. Each zone, one which is a former waste TPA that is no longer used and the former fertilizer factory zone under it.

As of Monday night, joint firefighters were reportedly still trying to extinguish the fire, and conditions had entered a new cooling process on Tuesday 19 September at around 04.00 WIB.

In the process of extinguishing the Jatibarang TPA fire, at least 19 fire engines from the Semarang City Damkar as well as other areas and water tanker trucks from various agencies were deployed.