Jakarta Hospital Evacuates Patients After Fire

Swift action prevents casualties at Hermina Hospital

Early Wednesday morning, dozens of patients were evacuated from Hermina Hospital in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, following a fire. Quick response from firefighters ensured everyone’s safety, preventing potential casualties.

Origin and Response

The fire reportedly started in a pharmaceutical room around 5 a.m. local time. According to Sukur Sarwono, an officer from the East Jakarta Fire Brigade and Rescue Agency (Gulkarmat), the blaze prompted an immediate evacuation.

Sarwono noted that patients, including those in wheelchairs and bedridden, were moved to safety. Some were taken to the emergency department for examinations.

The Gulkarmat team managed to extinguish the fire within approximately 30 minutes. However, smoke lingered, posing a challenge. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in fire incidents, accounting for more deaths than burns (NFPA).

Firefighting Efforts

“As soon as we received the report, our team rushed to the hospital. We are now cooling down the site, with smoke being the main obstacle. Regarding patients, all have been safely evacuated,” Sarwono stated, confirming no fatalities.

An investigation into the fire’s cause will commence after the emergency procedures are completed.

Abdul Wahid, Head of East Jakarta Gulkarmat’s Operation Section, said that ten fire trucks and 50 personnel were dispatched. “We also brought in additional equipment to deal with the smoke,” he added.

Timeline of Events

Wahid mentioned that the Gulkarmat received the emergency call at 5:02 a.m. local time. The team arrived on-site around 5:08 a.m. and started extinguishing the fire by 5:10 a.m. local time. Authorities established barricades to secure the area.