Fire Guts Transjakarta Bus in Front of Al-Azhar Mosque
Reported by Rio Sandiputra | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
No one was injured after fire gutted a Transjakarta bus B 7470 IV (Kota-Blok M) on Jalan Sisingamangaraja, precisely at Al-Azhar Mosque Bus Stop, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Thursday (8/28). The incident broke out at 7.35 AM.
According to bus driver's statement, the driver had heard an explosion sound like tire burst. When being checked, smoke suddenly came out from the back of the bus's engine
"According to bus driver's statement, the driver heard an explosion sound like tire burst. When being checked, somke suddenly came out from the back of the bus's engine," expressed Chief of South Jakarta Resort Police Traffic Unit, Adj. Sr. Comr. Timin, Thursday (8/28).
Seeing smoke, bus stop officers and bus driver were immediately trying to put out the flames using available tools in the bus. Afterwards, the passengers then evacuated through emergency exit. "Officers immediately try to put out the flames but they failed. Fire then keeps growing up and then burned the bus. Even, sound of explosion was heard several times," he told.
TransJakarta Bus Burned on Jalan Sultan AgungBesides Transjakarta bus, fire also burned part of the Al-Azhar Mosque bus stop. Much glass were broken, as well as the antenna and CCTV cameras located on the roof also burned.
The firemen managed to put out the flames within an hour later after two fire trucks of South Jakarta Fire and Disaster Department deployed to the scene. "After struggling for an hour, the fire was finally extinguished by firemen," he told.
The bus driver, he added, has been brought to the office of Kebayoran Baru Sector Police for questioning. While, until 9.20 AM, the bus has not been evacuated.
Wisnu, Staff of Transjakarta Operational Division revealed that the Al-azhar Mosque cannot be operated temporarily because it needs repair. "I've coordinated with related unit to immediately do repair. Perhaps, it will be carried out on Friday (8/29)," he explained.
On the other hand, Head of Transjakarta Bus Technical Unit, Pargaulan Butar Butar revealed that the bus is made in China that was bought using in 2013 City Budget (APBD).
"I don't know whether the police have evacuated the bus or not. But I want the bus to be moved to the Pinangranti Pool, Makasar, East Jakarta," he told.
