The fire broke out in a densely populated area, which is located beside a barracks of the Military Regional Command (Kodam) XVII/ Cendrawasih, around 50 meters from Jayapura Port.

It was difficult for fire trucks to get to the scene as there is only one access point to the residential complex.

“When the incident occurred, most of the adult men were not at home but working at Jayapura Port. They are mostly dock workers. Early in the morning, before the fire broke out, a ship berthed at the port,” local resident Nurjaya said.

Nurjaya said the fire is thought to have started in the room of a man identified as Faisal, 40. He said that Faisal suffered from mental health issues and it was suspected he lit a fire in his room. “He had tried to burn the house twice before but his attempts were thwarted. He once tried to commit suicide as well,” he added.

Faisal suffered burn injuries to his arms and is being treated at Jayapura Dok II Regional Public Hospital.

As many as 200 houses, home to about 700 residents, were damaged in the fire, which is estimated to have caused losses worth about Rp 5 billion (US$ 369,604).

Meanwhile, Jayapura City Police spokesperson First Insp. Jahya Rumra said the police were still investigating the cause of the fire. “The Jayapura Police's Criminal Investigation Unit [Satreskrim] is still investigating it,” he said. The police will question Faisal once he recovers, Jahya said. (dra/ebf)

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