A three-year-old baby died after fire destroyed three semi-permanent houses on Jalan Indo Karya Barat I, RT 05/06, Papanggo Urban Village, Tanjung Priok Sub-District, North Jakarta, Friday (7/25). The baby died in sleep after his mother, Ida (22), left him due to panic seeing her house burned.

From witnesses’ statements, the baby was put into sleep by the mother who forgot to turn off the stove

Rahim (47), a local, said the fire broke out around 1.10 PM. At that time, he had heard an explosion sound from inside a house. The residents suspected the explosion originated from a gas canister.

“The (baby’s) mother panicked and left her baby when she saw fire burned her house. While the father, Khaerul (26), was selling satay in front of Sunter Mall,” he uttered.

According to North Jakarta Fire and Disaster Handling Sub-Department picket officer, P utut Djantoko, the baby has been rushed to Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital (RSPI) for an autopsy. The fire itself can be controlled in about 30 minutes after 12 fire trucks deployed to the scene.

“There were no difficulties when extinguishing the fire. But since the buildings burned were semi-permanent buildings, the fire quickly enlarged,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Tanjung Priok Sector Police Chief Comr. Sulastoyo said that his party is investigating this case deeply. At this time, a number of witnesses have been questioned. Based on the information, the fire was allegedly come from a gas tube canister.

“From witnesses’ statements, the baby was put into sleep by the mother who forgot to turn off the stove. We’ll investigate this case deeply,” he stated.