Fire at Swamp Cat Landfill Spreads, Dozens of People Evacuated

The fire at the Rawa Cat landfill, Tangerang City, spreads. As a result, dozens of people had to be evacuated because the fire was approaching residential areas.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Kebakaran di TPA Rawa Kucing Meluas, Puluhan Orang Dievakuasi

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

The smoke from the fire at the Rawa Kucing Final Processing Site (TPA), in Neglasari District, Tangerang City, Banten, is increasing on Saturday (21/10/2023).

TANGERANG, KOMPAS - A fire broke out at the Rawa Kucing Final Processing Site (TPA), in Tangerang City, Banten, on Saturday (21/10/2023). Dozens of people were evacuated as the fire had approached the residential area.

Pengki (55) appeared sitting thoughtfully in the hall of the Neglasari Sub-District Office. He, along with hundreds of other residents, mostly women and children, sat receiving assistance from the city government.

He and four other members of his family were advised to evacuate as the fire had approached their house which was about 100 meters away from the site of the fire.

"Smoke has entered my house on Saturday (21/10/2023) morning, so I was asked by the officer to evacuate immediately," said Pengki, who works as a waste sorter at the location on a daily basis.

KOMPAS/PINGKAN ELITA DUNDU

Nobody would have imagined that this park is located within the area of the Rawa Kucing Waste Processing Site, on Iskandar Muda Street, Kedaung Wetan, Neglasari, Tangerang City. Aside from being a waste processing site, the Tangerang City Government has also made this area into an educational tourism destination.

Pengki, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said that fires often occur in that location. However, this time is the worst. "Previous fires were not as big as this one, so they could be extinguished quickly. I didn't even have to evacuate," he said.

Pengki hopes that the fire can be extinguished soon, as he is worried that the house he has been living in will also catch fire. "I only had time to bring important documents and clothes on my body. My belongings are still in the house," said Pengki.

Also read: Government Targets Bakung Landfill Fire to be Extinguished in 3-4 Days

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

Residents living around the Rawa Kucing landfill were evacuated to the Neglasari Subdistrict Office in Tangerang, Banten on Saturday (October 21, 2023).

On Saturday (21/10/2023) afternoon, smoke from the fire was directed towards a residential area. Fleet from relevant agencies were on the move to evacuate residents and extinguish the fire, which continued to grow due to strong winds.

"We ask for prayers that the officers can quickly extinguish the fire," said Mayor of Tangerang Arief Rachadiono Wismansyah when he arrived at the fire site.

A fire broke out on Friday (10/21/2023) afternoon. Since the fire broke out, firefighting personnel have been dispatched to extinguish the fire, including deploying 10 heavy equipment to locate the source of the fire. Extinguishing efforts continue as the location of the fire is not far from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

The smoke impact from the fire at Rawa Kucing dumpsite, Neglasari District, Tangerang City is getting thicker on Saturday (21/10/2023). As a result, residents around the area must be evacuated.

After struggling well into the night, the fire temporarily subsided. However, due to strong winds on Saturday morning, the fire spread again to door III. Personnel strength was increased. "We also requested assistance from DKI Jakarta and Angkasa Pura II to extinguish the fire," said Arief.

Also read: This time in Lampung, a fire at the final waste processing site

The Tangerang city government has written to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency to deploy water-bombing helicopters to extinguish the fire from the air. "Because the situation is now in an emergency state," said Arief.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

The smoke from the fire at Rawa Kucing landfill in Neglasari sub-district, Tangerang city, Banten is getting thicker on Saturday (21/10/2023).

The Chief Commissioner of Metro Tangerang Kota Police, Zain Dwi Nugroho, said that currently they are focusing on evacuating residents and sterilizing the path to the fire area. Iskandar Muda road, which is the only access to the landfill, is closed to public vehicles and only used for firefighting vehicles and related officers.

"There are 100 personnel deployed to secure the situation," said Zain.

Two water bombing vehicles have also been deployed to assist officials in extinguishing the fire. As for the investigation into the cause of the fire, they have yet to make any headway due to their current focus being on the evacuation of victims.

"Investigations will continue to be carried out to find possible negligence," said Zain.