A densely populated residential area on Jalan Gunung Panjang, Gang Gunung Panjang, Tanjung Redeb District, Berau Regency, was struck by a fire on Sunday (12/7/2026) afternoon. Reports regarding the incident were received by authorities around 11:50 WITA, which were immediately responded to by dispatching personnel to the scene.
Head of Berau Disdamkarmat, Rakhmadi Pasarakan, stated that data collection is still ongoing due to the complexity of building structures at the location. Up to this point, it is estimated that at least four to five buildings, including rented units, were affected by the flames.
During the firefighting operation, Berau Disdamkarmat deployed 10 fire engines supported by two BPBD fleets, volunteer vehicles, and PMI personnel. The synergy between officers and local residents was deemed key to controlling the fire and preventing it from spreading to other nearby buildings in the dense area.
First responders faced tough challenges, including strong wind gusts and narrow access roads leading to the hotspot. Nevertheless, the joint team managed to bring the situation under control within about an hour. One officer reportedly suffered from shortness of breath due to dense smoke exposure but received medical attention and is now in stable condition.
Regarding the exact cause of the fire, Disdamkarmat has handed over the investigation entirely to the police. Rakhmadi urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any potential fire hazards to the nearest command post so that rapid response can be maintained to minimize the risk of greater losses.
