A large fire destroyed the Waru Wora Traditional Village in Patiala Bawa Village, Lamboya District, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Friday (5 December 2025).
The incident caused significant damage to the cultural site and left dozens of families without shelter.
Local residents attempted to extinguish the fire using basic tools, but the flames spread rapidly. Photographs shared locally show residents watching from a distance as the fire moved from one house to another, destroying structures made of bamboo, thatch, and wood.
Senior Commissioner Hendry Novika Chandra, Head of Public Relations for the NTT Regional Police, confirmed the extent of the damage.
“The incident occurred yesterday afternoon, Friday, December 5, 2025,” he said, as reported by Detik.
He reported that a total of 28 traditional houses were damaged, with 26 completely destroyed and two partially burned.
The disaster affected 41 families, totalling 139 people, who are now without homes. There were no reported deaths. Material losses are estimated in the millions of rupiah.
Cause Under Investigation as Community Calls for Assistance
Police and local authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. Based on initial witness accounts, the fire was first seen behind the roof of one of the traditional houses.
Residents collecting wood for building a pig pen were the first to notice the flames.
“While passing in front of Marsel Yeru’s house, they saw flames burning the back roof. They immediately shouted for help, but there was no response,” the statement reads.
Residents attempted to put out the fire by climbing onto the roof and removing combustible thatch. However, the flames spread within minutes to neighbouring structures due to the proximity of the houses and the flammable materials used in their construction.
A coordinated response followed, involving community members, village officials, the Lamboya District Government, and the police. Three water tankers were deployed to contain the fire. The fire was extinguished at around 5:45 p.m. WITA.
As of Friday evening, officers and residents continued to cool the surrounding area to prevent the fire from reigniting.
Waru Wora is recognised as a cultural site that represents the heritage of the Lamboya community. The village originally consisted of 36 traditional tower-shaped houses with thatched roofs and wooden and bamboo structures.
Local leaders state that the destruction has created an urgent need for assistance, including temporary housing and essential supplies.
Authorities have not yet provided further updates on emergency support measures or rebuilding plans.
Cover: photo by PoldaNTT
