In Jakarta, Indonesian firefighters are currently facing a large fire at a military ammunition facility located just outside the capital city, as reported by the media on Saturday. The incident took place in Bekasi, situated on the outskirts of Jakarta, with no immediate reports of casualties.
Amateur videos shown by the local network KompasTV captured the dramatic scene of bright orange flames illuminating billowing clouds of smoke in the night sky. In the background, loud explosions and screams could be heard from several kilometers away. It is important to note that Reuters has not yet been able to verify the authenticity of these videos.
According to KompasTV, the fire began around 6:30 PM local time (11:30 AM GMT) and has not yet been brought under control. An army official named Kristomei Sianturi informed KompasTV that authorities are currently evacuating residents from nearby neighborhoods. Sianturi also mentioned that firefighters are struggling to extinguish the blaze.
The situation remains critical, with the fire continuing to rage on well into the evening. Efforts to contain the fire have not been successful so far, posing a significant challenge to the firefighting teams on the ground.
Further updates on the situation are awaited as the firefighting operation unfolds. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage to the facility are yet to be determined, adding to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the incident.
As the night progresses, authorities are working tirelessly to bring the situation under control and prevent any potential escalation of the fire. Commendable efforts are being made to ensure the safety of residents in the surrounding areas.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with handling military ammunition and the importance of stringent safety measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by the fire, and we extend our gratitude to the firefighters and emergency responders working diligently to combat the blaze and protect the community.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops and more information becomes available regarding the ongoing firefighting efforts at the military ammunition facility near Jakarta.
Reported by Fransiska Nangoy, Written by Kanupriya Kapoor, Edited by Bernadette Baum and William Maclean
