A devastating fire at a Terra Drone building in Jakarta on Tuesday, December 9th, claimed 22 lives and has prompted a police examination focused on potential safety violations. Authorities have scheduled an interview with the building’s owner, currently overseas, as they examine the circumstances surrounding the blaze and the lack of adequate safety measures within the six-story structure. The incident has already led to the naming of the Director of PT Terra Drone Indonesia as a suspect, highlighting concerns about fire safety and regulatory compliance in Indonesian commercial buildings.
Police are investigating a deadly fire at a Terra Drone building and have scheduled an interview with the building’s owner, who is currently abroad, for next week. The blaze, which occurred on Tuesday, December 9, resulted in 22 fatalities.
According to reports, the victims were trapped on the upper floors of the six-story building, unable to escape due to heavy smoke originating from the lower levels and limited evacuation routes. The deaths included 15 women, one of whom was pregnant, and seven men.
The investigation is focusing on potential safety violations within the building. This incident underscores the critical importance of fire safety regulations and emergency preparedness in commercial structures.
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Central Jakarta Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKBP Roby Heri Saputra stated, “The building owner is currently abroad. We have already contacted them to schedule an interview for next week, hoping they will come to expedite the investigation.”
Building Safety Violations Identified
Investigators have identified a number of safety violations at the Terra Drone building that contributed to the fire and the resulting loss of life. These included a lack of fire protection systems and inadequate evacuation routes.
“There were no emergency exits, no smoke detectors, no fire protection systems, and no evacuation routes,” said Central Jakarta Police Chief Kombes Susatyo Purnomo Condro during a press conference on Friday, December 12. “The building had a building permit (IMB) and a certificate of functionality (SLF) for office use, but it was also being used for storage.”
The investigation also revealed management failures, including improper storage of damaged, used, and functional batteries.
“The storage room was cramped, just 2×2 meters, without ventilation or fireproofing. Additionally, a generator with the potential for heat was located in the same area,” Condro added.
Terra Drone Director Named as Suspect
Police have named Michael Wisnu Wardhana, the Director of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, as a suspect in the case, alleging negligence led to the fatal fire.
“There was negligence on the part of the suspect,” Kombes Susatyo Purnomo Condro stated during a press conference on Friday, December 12.
Investigators found significant managerial negligence. Wardhana allegedly failed to create or enforce standard operating procedures for storing drone batteries, which were the primary cause of the fire.
“He did not create or ensure the existence of SOPs for storing hazardous batteries. He did not appoint a K3 officer (occupational health and safety) and did not provide safety training,” Condro explained.
“He did not provide a standard storage space for flammable materials. He did not provide emergency exits and building safety systems. He did not ensure that evacuation routes were functional,” he continued.
Authorities say Wardhana was aware of the risks associated with lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries, the type that caused the fire, but allegedly failed to take adequate precautions.
“In other words, as director, he knew exactly about the risk of these LiPo batteries being flammable, but still allowed the conditions to exist without SOPs and without protection,” Condro said.
Potential for Additional Suspects
Police indicated that additional suspects may be identified in the Terra Drone building fire investigation. The Director of PT Terra Drone Indonesia, identified only by his initials MW, has already been named as a suspect.
“It is not impossible that there will be other suspects, but at this time, no one else has been designated as a suspect other than the Director,” said Central Jakarta Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKBP Roby Saputra at the Terra Drone building on Thursday, December 11.
The fire originated in the inventory room on the first floor, where damaged lithium polymer (LiPo) drone batteries were stored in a pile. The batteries fell, sparking a fire that spread to other batteries and ultimately engulfed the building.
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