Jakarta. A massive fire swept through a densely populated neighborhood in West Jakarta on Sunday morning, destroying 316 houses and leaving more than 1,200 residents homeless, authorities said.

No fatalities were reported in the blaze in Tangki subdistrict, Taman Sari, though several people sustained injuries, according to Syarifuddin, head of West Jakarta’s Fire and Rescue Department.

The fire engulfed more than 10,000 square meters of residential area, with material losses estimated at Rp 35 billion ($2.1 million).

“The first report of the fire came in at 10:04 a.m., and within minutes 24 fire engines with 120 personnel were on the scene,” Syarifuddin said.

However, most of the homes were semi-permanent and tightly packed, allowing flames to spread rapidly. Strong winds further hampered firefighting efforts, sending embers into nearby houses and complicating containment.

Suspected Cause
Authorities believe the fire was likely triggered by an electrical short circuit, a common cause of fires in Jakarta’s densely populated areas, where substandard wiring is widespread.

As of Sunday evening, officials had not yet provided an exact figure for the number of evacuees in temporary shelters. With more than 1,200 people displaced, urgent needs include food, clothing, medical supplies, and emergency housing.

Syarifuddin noted this was not the first incident in the area. On the same date last year, a smaller fire also struck the Tangki neighborhood.

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