Labfor Team Investigate Fires That Hang Dozens Of Houses And Shophouses In Simeulue Aceh

The North Sumatra Police Labfor Team conducted a crime scene investigation where the fire scorched dozens of houses and shops in Simeulue Regency, Aceh, Wednesday (27/9/2023). ANTARA/HO-Bidhumas Aceh Police

BANDA ACEH - The Forensic Laboratory Team of the North Sumatra Police investigated the cause of the fire that scorched dozens of houses and shop houses in Simeulue Regency, Aceh.

Simeulue Police Chief AKBP Sujoko said the North Sumatra Police Labfor Team was already at the location to conduct a crime scene (TKP) investigation.

"We are working with the North Sumatra Police Labfor Team to reveal what caused the fire. Hopefully, the results of our investigation can provide answers needed by the Simeulue community," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 27.

The team, said the Police Chief, conducted a thorough forensic investigation, looked for evidence, and analyzed the source of the fire. The goal is to determine the cause of the fire and assist in ongoing investigations.

"The authorities in Simeulue Regency also provide full support for this investigation and are ready to cooperate with the North Sumatra Police Labfor Team," said Sujoko.

Previously, as many as 23 housing and shop houses in Suka Jaya Village, East Simeulue District, Simeulue Regency, were burned to the ground, Sunday (24/9), at 03.20 WIB.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Simeulue Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Zulfadli stated that the losses due to the fire scorched 23 houses and the shop reached Rp. 18.3 billion.

"The exact figure is still being collected. However, the temporary estimate of the loss due to the fire reached Rp. 18.3 billion," said Zulfadli.

He said the Simeulue Regency BPBD had distributed panic assistance and provided emergency tents to 25 families with 87 people affected by the fire.

"Aid also flows from the TNI and Polri. In addition, the Simeulue Regency Social Service has set up an emergency tent for fire refugees. We continue to monitor the condition of the victims," said Zulfadli.

Simeulue Regency is the outermost archipelago region in Aceh Province. Simeulue Island is located in the Indian Ocean, which is about 180 nautical miles from the west coast of Sumatra Island.

Simeulue Regency has been a expansion of West Aceh Regency since 1999. Simeulue Regency has eight sub-districts with 135 gampongs or villages inhabited by around 80 thousand people.