A massive fire engulfed the Glodok Plaza building, Jakarta’s well-known electronics trading centre, located in Tamansari, West Jakarta, on Wednesday night, January 15, 2025, at approximately 9:30 PM WIB. The fire, which originated on the 7th floor, quickly spread to the 8th and 9th floors, prompting an extensive firefighting operation that lasted through the night.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the discotheque and karaoke area on the 7th floor.
“What caught fire were floors 7, 8, and 9. The affected area is quite large, covering all sides. It is clear that the karaoke area is entirely on fire,” said Syarifudin, Operations Section Head of the West Jakarta Fire and Rescue Sub-Department, as quoted by Kompas.
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
The speed of the fire’s spread was attributed to the presence of gas fuel and the building’s structure, which was densely divided into electronic kiosks. Thick smoke, caused by burning electronic materials, further complicated the firefighting efforts.
9 People Rescued from the Rooftop
Videos circulated on social media showing several people fleeing to the rooftop of Glodok Plaza to seek help. According to Detiknews, nine people—eight men and one woman—were trapped by the fire before being successfully rescued by firefighters after waiting for about an hour.
“Yes, that’s correct,” confirmed Satriadi Gunawan, Acting Head of the DKI Jakarta Fire and Rescue Department. “They have been evacuated to safety and are receiving care in an ambulance provided by the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI).”
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported as of this writing.
Firefighting Efforts Continue
The firefighting team worked tirelessly to prevent the blaze from spreading to the 6th floor and other areas. A police line was set up around the building to keep residents at a safe distance.
By early Thursday morning, January 16, 2025, the fire had begun to subside, thanks to the combined efforts of 230 personnel and 23 fire trucks from the Jakarta Fire Department. The operation also involved the Police, TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), and the PMI.
Despite these efforts, hotspots and thick smoke remained visible as of 8:30 AM on Thursday.
“There are still hotspots and thick smoke visible from outside the building. We cannot yet enter the affected areas to address the remaining fires,” explained Sardi, a fire department officer at the scene.
The fire has captured significant public attention, given Glodok Plaza’s prominence as a central trading hub in Jakarta. The exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are still under investigation.
