Shocking Tragedy: 5 Deadly Fire Cases and Huge Losses in January 2025

Kapanlagi.com - The start of 2025 holds a dark story with a series of fire incidents that shook various strategic locations, from shopping centers to office buildings.
The raging fires have caused huge losses, both material and non-material, and many people have lost their homes and livelihoods. In a short time, this situation captured public attention, given the high number of losses that occurred in just one month.

These fires occurred not only domestically but also struck several places abroad. From Glodok, Kemayoran, and Sawah Besar, to Panin Bank Building and even Los Angeles, each incident carries a deep sorrowful story. The diverse backgrounds of each event raise significant questions about the readiness of fire prevention systems and the effectiveness of their management.

These tragic incidents are not just a topic of discussion in local media but have also attracted the attention of the international community. Summarized by Kapanlagi.com from various sources on Wednesday (22/1/2025), here are five of the most attention-grabbing fire incidents throughout January 2025.

1. Glodok Plaza Fire

(Liputan6.com/Herman Zakharia)

A massive fire struck Glodok Plaza on the morning of Wednesday, January 15, 2025, shaking the public with its alarming impact. The uncontrollable flames raged for hours, affecting more than 650 tenants, with estimated losses reaching Rp90 billion.

According to the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of DKI Jakarta, the incident is suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit in one of the stores, and the fire quickly spread due to the flammable building materials and the high density of the area.

Eyewitnesses reported thick smoke that became visible from the upper floors before engulfing the entire building. Tragically, six crew members who were staying nearby also became victims, adding to the suffering in this heartbreaking tragedy.

2. Kemayoran Fire: Thousands of Residents Left Homeless

(Photo: documentation from Gulkarmat Central Jakarta)

A massive fire struck a densely populated area in Kemayoran in the early hours of Tuesday, January 21, 2025, resulting in significant losses. The fire, which originated from an electrical short circuit in one of the houses, quickly spread, engulfing more than 500 buildings and forcing thousands of residents to lose their homes.

Although firefighters worked hard to extinguish the flames, the density of the buildings and flammable materials made it difficult to tame the fire, and in an instant, most of the settlement was reduced to ashes. Fortunately, there were no casualties in this tragic incident, but the impact it left was profoundly painful for the residents.

The local government has established emergency posts to accommodate the refugees, but significant challenges still loom over them, especially in meeting urgent needs such as food, clean water, and clothing.

3. Fire in the Sawah Besar Settlement

(Liputan6.com/Winda Nelfira)

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the densely populated settlement of Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, a horrific tragedy occurred on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, when flames engulfed 20 boarding rooms, forcing dozens of residents to flee their homes in panic.

The cause of this still-mysterious fire is strongly suspected to be due to an electrical short circuit, while firefighters struggled for hours to extinguish the blaze that consumed belongings and precious memories.

The difficult-to-reach location posed a unique challenge during the evacuation process, leaving many boarding house residents losing valuable items and important documents amid the billowing smoke.

4. Fire at Panin Bank Building

(Photo: documentation of Gulkarmat Jakarta)

A fire broke out at the Panin Bank Center building in Tanah Abang, Jakarta, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, creating a panic-stricken atmosphere in the vicinity. The raging flames originated from the cooling room and quickly spread to various areas, suspected to be caused by sparks from unexpected welding activities.

Fortunately, thanks to the swift evacuation by the building management, there were no casualties in this incident. However, material losses cannot be overlooked, as several parts of the building suffered significant damage. Firefighters revealed that the height of the building posed a unique challenge in their efforts to extinguish the fire that engulfed parts of the structure.

5. The Worst Fire in Los Angeles History

(MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

A devastating fire swept through Los Angeles, United States, marking itself as one of the worst disasters in the history of this city known as the City of Angels.

The raging flames not only consumed hundreds of homes and businesses but also claimed valuable open land. The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Los Angeles revealed that several properties owned by the Indonesian diaspora also fell victim to this disaster.

Suspected to be caused by an extended dry season, the area has now become highly vulnerable to outbreaks of fire. The firefighting process involves hundreds of firefighters and heavy equipment, struggling hard to contain the blaze. Although casualties were minimized, the material losses are estimated to reach billions of US dollars, leaving a deep mark of sorrow in the hearts of the community.

6. What is the main cause of the fire at Glodok Plaza?

This shocking fire is believed to have started from an electrical short circuit that occurred in a store, triggering panic and burning surrounding items.

7. What is the fate of the fire victims in Kemayoran?

Thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes and are now seeking shelter at emergency posts provided by the government, struggling to face the harsh reality due to the disaster that struck.

8. What steps has the government taken to address this fire?

The government acted quickly by distributing emergency aid in the form of food, clean water, and clothing to those affected, while conducting a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

9. Why is the fire in Los Angeles called the worst?

Involving a very large area and material losses reaching billions of dollars, along with the challenges of the dry season that complicate firefighting efforts, this situation becomes increasingly complex and urgent to address.

(kpl/srr)