A devastating fire swept through a seven-storey office building in central Jakarta, Indonesia, on December 9, 2025, claiming the lives of at least 22 people and leaving the city reeling. According to reports from AFP and The Jakarta Fire Department, the blaze broke out around lunchtime and quickly engulfed the building, which housed an agricultural drone services company in the busy Kemayoran district—a bustling hub in the heart of the capital.
Authorities believe the fire was triggered by a battery explosion on the building’s ground floor, though the exact cause remains under investigation. "However, the exact cause is still under investigation by the forensic laboratory team," Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro told reporters, as quoted by AFP. The force, he said, is "committed to thoroughly investigating this fire incident." Forensic teams are combing through the wreckage, seeking answers and accountability in the wake of the tragedy.
In the immediate aftermath, the scene was chaotic and harrowing. At least 100 firefighters and 29 fire trucks rushed to the site, battling the flames that had already gained a strong foothold by the time they arrived. Nurhayati, a 53-year-old witness, described the terrifying moment the fire was discovered: "The door was closed. When the firefighters broke in, the fire was already big and very red." Her words, reported by AFP, paint a picture of the urgency and intensity that responders faced as they fought to save lives and contain the inferno.
Despite the swift deployment of emergency crews, the toll was grim. Police chief Susatyo provided an update as the situation unfolded, stating, "The number of victims who died is 22," up from an initial count of 17. Tragically, most of the victims were women, including one who was pregnant. The fire did not discriminate, cutting short lives and devastating families. As of late Tuesday, emergency workers were still searching the charred structure for anyone possibly trapped inside or for more victims who might not have made it out.
The building’s facade, as captured in AFP footage, was left blackened and broken, with shattered windows and thick smoke billowing from several floors. Firefighters used large industrial fans to cool down the site and clear the lingering smoke, a necessary step before further search and rescue operations could continue. "We will search the place again once it is cleared," Susatyo said, emphasizing the painstaking process of ensuring no one was left behind.
Most of the deceased did not appear to have suffered burns, police reported. Instead, asphyxiation was likely the main cause of death, a chilling reminder of how quickly smoke can turn deadly in a confined space. The bodies were transported to the police hospital for autopsies and identification, with authorities working to notify families and provide some measure of closure amid the chaos.
In the midst of the emergency response, a local police commander was injured while assisting with the building’s evacuation, underscoring the dangers faced by those who risked their own safety to help others. The police chief noted that the focus remained on cooling the building and clearing the thick smoke, but once conditions allowed, investigators would resume their search for additional victims and evidence.
As the dust settled, attention quickly turned to accountability and the possibility of negligence. Police began questioning all witnesses, including the business owner and the building owner, to determine whether lapses in safety or other responsible parties might have contributed to the disaster. "The investigation will look into whether the cause of the fire is linked to negligence or if there are other responsible parties," Susatyo said, signaling a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
The fire’s origin—a battery explosion on the ground floor—has raised difficult questions about workplace safety and the handling of potentially hazardous materials in commercial buildings. While the building’s primary function was as a base for an agricultural drone services company, the risk posed by batteries and other electronic equipment is now under intense scrutiny. Forensic experts are expected to play a key role in determining whether proper safety protocols were followed and if the tragedy could have been prevented.
The tragedy is, unfortunately, not an isolated incident in Indonesia. Deadly fires have plagued the country in recent years, highlighting systemic challenges in building safety and emergency preparedness. In 2023, at least 12 people lost their lives in the country’s east after an explosion at a nickel-processing plant, according to AFP. Such incidents serve as stark reminders of the ongoing need for vigilance, regulation, and investment in safety infrastructure—especially in rapidly developing urban centers like Jakarta.
Curious onlookers gathered at a distance as firefighters and police officers carried body bags from the burnt building. The somber scene was a grim testament to the fire’s toll and the fragility of life in the face of disaster. For many Jakarta residents, the tragedy struck close to home, sparking conversations about the adequacy of fire safety measures in office buildings and the importance of quick, coordinated emergency responses.
In the days following the blaze, city officials and safety experts have called for renewed efforts to improve fire prevention and response systems across Jakarta. The deployment of 100 firefighters and 29 fire trucks in this incident was both a testament to the city’s resources and a reminder that, even with such numbers, some disasters can outpace the best-laid plans. The use of large fans to cool down the site and clear smoke, while effective, also highlighted the challenges of operating in multi-storey buildings with limited access and high occupancy.
The agricultural drone services company that occupied the building has not yet released a public statement, but police have indicated that the company’s operations, as well as the building’s ownership and safety record, will be central to the ongoing investigation. The hope is that answers can be found—and lessons learned—to prevent future tragedies of this scale.
For now, Jakarta mourns. The families of the victims face an agonizing wait for news and the difficult process of coming to terms with their loss. The city, meanwhile, must reckon with the broader implications of the fire: the need for stricter safety regulations, better enforcement, and a culture of preparedness that matches the pace of its growth.
As the investigation continues and the city recovers, the memory of those lost in the Kemayoran fire will linger—a stark reminder of the cost of complacency and the urgent need for change.
