22 Dead in Jakarta Office Building Fire: Drone Battery Explosion Suspected as Cause

The building serves as the headquarters for Terra Drone Indonesia, a company specializing in agricultural drone services.

A devastating fire engulfed a seven-storey office building in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people, according to police reports.

Authorities believe the fire was likely triggered by an exploding drone battery on the ground floor. The flames rapidly spread upward through the building in central Jakarta before firefighters could extinguish them.

"However, the exact cause is still under investigation by the forensic laboratory team," stated Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro during a press briefing, adding that the police force is "committed to thoroughly investigating this fire incident."

An eyewitness informed AFP that the fire erupted around lunchtime and had already grown substantial by the time emergency responders arrived at the location.

"The door was closed. When the firefighters broke in, the fire was already big and very red," recounted Nurhayati, a 53-year-old local resident.

Susatyo updated the casualty count from an initial 17 to 22 victims, including 15 women. One of the deceased was pregnant.

The Jakarta Fire Department deployed approximately 100 firefighters and 29 fire trucks to combat the blaze in Kemayoran, a bustling district in the city center.

A local police commander sustained injuries while assisting with the building evacuation, according to Susatyo.

The police chief mentioned that firefighters were now focusing on cooling the building and removing thick smoke from multiple floors.

"We will search the place again once it is cleared," he stated.

Susatyo noted that most victims did not appear to have suffered burns, suggesting they likely died from asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.

AFP footage revealed the charred exterior of the building, with several windows shattered. Firefighters were using large fans to cool down the site.

Onlookers observed from a distance as emergency personnel removed body bags from the burned structure.

Susatyo confirmed that police were "questioning all witnesses, including the business owner and the building owner."

The investigation will examine "whether the cause of the fire is linked to negligence or if there are other responsible parties," he added.

Fatal fires occur with concerning frequency in Indonesia. In 2023, at least 12 people lost their lives in the eastern part of the country following an explosion at a nickel-processing plant.