Jakarta. Haerul Saleh, a member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), died in a fire at his residence in South Jakarta on Friday morning, authorities and colleagues said.

The news was confirmed by Habiburokhman, chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives and a fellow member of the Gerindra Party.

“I am deeply saddened. He was one of my close friends,” Habiburokhman told reporters in Jakarta.

Before being appointed to the BPK, Haerul had served as a member of Commission XI of the House of Representatives, which oversees finance and banking affairs.

Asril Rizal, head of South Jakarta’s Fire and Rescue Sub-agency, said the victim died in the blaze and his body was taken to Pasar Minggu Hospital.

Authorities said firefighters were first alerted after local residents saw thick black smoke rising from the third floor of the house on Jalan TB Simatupang.

“The fire is suspected to have originated from leftover thinner used during home renovation work,” Asril said.

Local neighborhood officials then contacted the South Jakarta Fire Department for assistance. Firefighters began extinguishing the blaze at 8:07 a.m. local time and completed operations by 8:46 a.m.

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