Riau Police Chief Reveals The Condition Of The Dumai Oil Refinery Fire Area Was Turbulent

Illustration of firefighters extinguishing fire. (Pixabay)

Riau Police Chief Inspector General Muhammad Iqbal admitted that the explosion that led to a fire that hit Pertamina's oil refinery in Dumai City, Riau, had been volatile. The incident caused nine people to be lightly injured and a number of infrastructures were damaged.

"People's conditions are indeed volatile, but with a good approach from the Police Chief, Dumai Mayor, religious leaders and community leaders, so residents return to their respective places," he said in Pekanbaru, Riau Islands (Kepri), Sunday, April 2, as reported by Antara.

Iqbal explained that when the fire appeared on Saturday, March 1 at around 22.40 WIB, the police had taken steps, especially in terms of prevention and anticipation efforts.

"The first is about security so that the safe parameters are realized and the whole community can return to their daily activities. Second, conducting an investigation on why it happened, we will investigate by collaborating with various parties," he said.

He said, not long after the explosion of Pertamina's lattice, the situation could be calmed down and the fire was extinguished no less than 20 minutes.

Iqbal also admitted that apart from his party, he also convinced all affected communities that the situation was safe.

Meanwhile, the Area Manager of Communications Relations & CSR, PT KPI RU II Dumai, Agustiawan said that the explosion and fire occurred in the Dumai Refinery Gas Compresor area.

The incident was controlled at around 22.54 WIB and currently the operation of the refinery in the affected unit was temporarily suspended to ensure security at that location.

"The cause of the incident is still unknown. Currently, the team continues to focus on ensuring that conditions are safe. Pertamina Dumai Refinery also continues to monitor to ensure that people around the refinery are not affected by this incident," he said.