Jakarta, Indonesia – Dec 9 2025 – A fierce fire ripped through a seven‑storey office building in Central Jakarta this afternoon, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens. The inferno broke out around midday on the first floor, quickly engulfing the structure in thick black smoke that forced workers and nearby residents to flee.What happened- The blaze is believed to have started from an exploding battery in a storage area on the ground floor, spreading rapidly to the upper levels.- Central Jakarta Police Chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro confirmed 20 fatalities (5 men, 15 women, including a pregnant woman) and said most victims died from asphyxiation rather than burns.- The building housed the offices of Terra Drone Indonesia, a drone‑services firm serving mining, agriculture and other sectors.Rescue operations- Over 100 firefighters and 29 fire trucks were deployed; emergency crews used portable ladders and rooftop evacuation to pull survivors from the sixth floor and higher.- Body bags were carried out and victims transported to Kramat Jati Police Hospital for identification and autopsy.- Firefighters continued “fire cooling” and clearing smoke from several floors, and police said a second sweep of the building is planned once conditions improve.- Local police and a forensic team are questioning witnesses and investigating whether negligence or a faulty battery caused the explosion.ContextDeadly fires are not uncommon in Indonesia; 2023 saw 12 deaths in an explosion at a nickel‑processing plant. Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation and reiterated safety checks for high‑rise workplaces.QuotesChief Susatyo Purnomo Condro: “Now, we are still focusing on evacuating victims and cooling the building. We will search again once it is cleared.”_Sources: ¹ ² ³_
