Rescuers carry out the body of a victim from the site of a fire in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Indonesia Building Fire Live: A deadly fire tore through a seven-storey office building in central Jakarta on Tuesday, killing at least 22 people, authorities said, Reuters reported. The blaze, which began around midday, was quickly extinguished, but search and evacuation operations continued through the afternoon. The bodies — seven men and 15 women — were recovered and taken to a police hospital in East Jakarta for identification. Authorities said most of the victims died from smoke inhalation. Firefighters rescued at least 19 trapped workers, many of them suffering from breathing difficulties, shock and minor injuries.
How the Fire Spread: Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro said the fire started on the first floor before spreading to upper levels. Many employees of Terra Drone Indonesia were on their lunch break when the blaze erupted, while others had stepped out of the office. Firefighters were seen carrying body bags out of the building as they worked to bring people down from higher floors using portable ladders, footage on Kompas TV showed.
About the Company: The building houses Terra Drone Indonesia, which provides drones for aerial surveying across sectors from mining to agriculture. The company is the Indonesian unit of Japan’s Terra Drone Corporation.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.Many workers in the building, which was used as a sales and storage office for a drone company, were out for lunch when a battery started sparking in a storage and testing area, said Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro said, citing several witnesses.
Death toll rises to 22
At least 22 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed after a fire tore through a seven-storey office building in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.
Fire erupts around midday
The blaze is believed to have started on the first floor of the Kemayoran building before rapidly spreading upwards, according to Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro.
Battery sparks suspected
Witnesses reported that a drone battery began sparking in a storage and testing area, possibly due to a short circuit or thermal failure, triggering the explosion and subsequent fire.
Workers caught during lunch hour
Many employees of the drone sales and storage company were out for lunch, but others were trapped on upper floors as the fire spread.
Massive emergency response
More than 100 personnel and 29 fire trucks were deployed. After three hours of firefighting, the blaze was finally extinguished.
Dramatic rooftop and ladder rescues
Television footage showed firefighters rescuing more than a dozen trapped workers from the sixth floor using an extended emergency ladder, with several victims gasping for air amid thick smoke.
Bodies taken for identification
All 22 recovered bodies — seven men and 15 women — were transported to the police hospital in East Jakarta for identification as investigations into the cause continue.
Videos aired by Kompas TV showed flames shooting from the upper floors of the building as firefighters struggled to reach people trapped inside. Thick black smoke blanketed the area, prompting nearby residents and office workers to rush into the streets for safety. Emergency crews were seen carrying several body bags out of the burnt structure while they continued searching for possible survivors.
Polisi: 20 Orang Meninggal dalam Kebakaran Kantor di Kemayoran
— Kompas.com (@kompascom) December 9, 2025
Baca di: https://t.co/M9eQCj95f6 pic.twitter.com/gipldDYXPp
Firefighters were seen carrying body bags out of the building as they worked to bring people down from higher floors using portable ladders, footage on Kompas TV showed, Reuters reported.
Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro told Reuters that the fire started on the first floor before spreading to upper levels. Many employees of Terra Drone Indonesia were on their lunch break when the blaze erupted, while others had stepped out of the office.
The blaze, which began around midday, was quickly extinguished, but search and evacuation operations continued through the afternoon.
A deadly fire tore through a seven-storey office building in central Jakarta on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people, authorities said, Reuters reported.
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