Jakarta Market Inferno: Police Aid Evacuation Amidst Devastation
Hundreds of stalls lost as firefighters battle lingering embers.
South Jakarta’s Taman Puring Market is engulfed in the aftermath of a massive fire, with authorities from Polda Metro Jaya actively assisting vendors in salvaging their belongings.
Devastating Blaze Engulfs Hundreds of Stalls
The SAR Unit of the Directorate of Samapta Polda Metro Jaya was on the scene at the Taman Puring Market following a significant blaze that has impacted the area. Operations focused on helping traders retrieve goods endangered by the flames.
“Our members are performing regulatory duties and aiding in the evacuation efforts at the fire site,” stated Commissioner **Yully Kurniawan**, Dirsamapta Polda Metro Jaya, on Monday, July 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, AKP **Ali** from the Sipammat Directorate Samapta confirmed that the main fire had been extinguished, with cooling operations still in progress.
Lingering Dangers and Security Measures
Units remained stationed at the market entrance to prevent unauthorized access to the compromised area. This precautionary measure was implemented to ensure public safety as firefighters continued their work.
“After the evacuation concluded, our SAR Ditsamapta members are maintaining a presence at the entrance. Firefighters are still cooling the affected structures, and our personnel are deterring residents from entering the site due to residual heat,” **Ali** explained.
Scale of Destruction Revealed
The Taman Puring Market fire, which began at 18:10 WIB, required the deployment of 34 fire trucks. The scale of the disaster is significant, with reports indicating extensive damage.
South Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner **Nicolas Ary Lilipaly** reported that the market houses approximately 500 shop units, and it is believed that a majority of these may have been consumed by the fire.
“There are 500 units, approximately 500 shop units here. From the National Police and Damkar are able to secure the crime scene and can also extinguish the fire by moving 34 fire trucks,”
—Nicolas Ary Lilipaly, South Jakarta Metro Police Chief Commissioner
The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to the highly combustible nature of the merchandise stored within the market. Items such as shoes and rubber goods contributed to the intensity and difficulty of extinguishment.
“We faced challenges with water supply and the flammable materials inside, including rubber and shoes, which made controlling the blaze particularly difficult,” **Lilipaly** added.
Fires in crowded marketplaces pose significant risks, as seen in a 2023 incident where a fire in a Bangkok market destroyed over 100 stalls, highlighting the potential for rapid escalation due to dense structures and flammable goods (Source: Bangkok Post).