Dumai, Riau. A massive fire broke out at state-owned energy firm Pertamina’s Dumai refinery in Riau province on Wednesday night, prompting panic among nearby residents before being extinguished hours later.

The blaze began around 9:00 p.m., following what locals described as a loud explosion. By 11:20 p.m., fire crews had successfully put out the flames.

“As part of mitigation, we secured the surrounding area to ensure no further hazards,” said Agustiawan, Pertamina’s communications manager for Sumatra.

The Dumai refinery, which produces vehicle fuels with a capacity of 170,000 barrels per day, is Indonesia’s third-largest refinery after the Balikpapan Refinery in East Kalimantan (360,000 bpd) and the Cilacap Refinery in Central Java (348,000 bpd), and is considered a strategic national asset.

Agustiawan said the refinery’s emergency team immediately activated safety protocols, preventing the fire from spreading to other units. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

On-site, eight Pertamina fire trucks, one Dumai city fire truck, and one from Pertamina Patra Niaga were deployed to control the blaze.

He stressed that the refinery’s core operations continue unaffected. “There is no disruption to refinery activities or to surrounding communities. Worker and community safety, as well as the security of our facilities, remain our top priority,” Agustiawan added.

Residents Describe Panic
Eyewitnesses said the explosion shook nearby homes, forcing people to flee in panic. “The sound was very loud, our houses shook, and everyone rushed outside,” said Rahmad, a local resident.

Flames were seen rising high into the night sky before firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Dumai Police Chief Angga Herlambang said authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. “The cause is still under investigation, with teams focused on handling the aftermath,” he told local outlet Riau Aktual.

He urged residents to remain calm and avoid misinformation.

Pertamina said a full investigation is ongoing to determine the cause and strengthen future safety measures.

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