Jakarta: Indonesian firefighters were engaged in a fierce battle against a raging inferno that erupted on Saturday at a military ammunition depot situated just outside the capital city, triggering a series of explosions and unleashing towering flames and thick plumes of smoke into the night sky. Although the incident caused widespread alarm, fortunately, there have been no reported casualties or injuries, as affirmed by military official Mohammad Hasan at the scene. Hasan indicated that the fire originated in a section of the facility designated for storing expired ammunition.
“We’ve checked the location, perimeters, there are no fatalities,” Hasan assured reporters during a press conference held near the site in Bogor, located on the outskirts of Jakarta. Shedding light on the potential cause, he explained, “The expired ammunitions contain chemicals that can be unstable … There could have been some frictions that sparked the fire.”
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Authorities, led by army official Kristomei Sianturi, commenced firefighting efforts several hours after the initial outbreak, which occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time (1130 GMT). However, initial challenges impeded the timely arrival of firefighters and paramedics at the scene, as reported by local media sources.
Footage captured by the local network KompasTV depicted scenes of intense flames casting an eerie orange glow against the darkened sky, accompanied by deafening explosions reverberating across several kilometers. Recounting the harrowing experience, local resident Arga Nanda recounted hearing a thunderous blast that rattled doors and windows, prompting people to flee into the streets under the mistaken belief of an earthquake.
In response to the escalating situation, authorities initiated the evacuation of residents from nearby neighborhoods. Additionally, Kristomei issued a cautionary advisory, urging residents to refrain from touching any debris that may have been propelled outward by the force of the explosions.
