Jambi Shop Fire Kills Female Employee

JAMBI | INDATANEWS.COM - A major fire completely destroyed the two-storey Toko Berkah Jaya shop building on Jalan Raden Pamuk, RT 03, in Kasang, Jambi Timur District, Jambi City, on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The fire broke out at around 4 pm local time (WIB). A female employee of the shop died in the blaze. Emergency crews found her inside the building while carrying out firefighting operations.

The flames destroyed the 5 × 16-metre building and all its contents, including everyday food supplies and various household goods. The property damage is estimated at approximately 250 million Indonesian rupiah.

Officers from the Jambi Timur Police Station and Jambi City Police responded immediately after receiving reports from local residents. Jambi Police Chief Police Commissioner Ananto Herlambang travelled to the scene with the head of the Jambi Timur Police Station and other personnel to oversee firefighting operations, secure the area and supervise the recovery of the victim.

How the Fire Spread at Toko Berkah Jaya

The fire began when residents on Jalan Raden Pamuk noticed thick smoke rising from Toko Berkah Jaya. After witnessing the blaze, a witness attempted to enter the building through an adjoining shop.

The witness then forced open a door on the second floor to check the situation inside. By that time, however, the flames had already spread. Dense smoke filled the area, making access to the premises considerably more difficult.

After receiving the report, officers on duty at the Jambi Timur Police Station immediately headed to the scene. Together with local residents, they made initial attempts to extinguish the fire while waiting for the fire brigade to arrive.

At around 5 pm, six fire engines operated by Jambi City Administration arrived at the scene. Firefighters, police officers and residents then worked together to bring the flames under control and prevent the fire from spreading further.

Firefighting operations continued until approximately 6 pm. Once the flames had been brought under control, emergency personnel began damping-down operations to ensure that no remaining embers could reignite the fire.

Female Employee Found Dead Inside the Building

During the firefighting operation, emergency personnel discovered a body inside the shop building. The victim was identified as a female employee of Toko Berkah Jaya. She was found in a bathtub in the bathroom on the ground floor.

Rescue personnel recovered the woman and took her to the Bhayangkara Hospital operated by the Jambi Regional Police for further medical examination and identification. The relevant authorities also prepared for a forensic examination or post-mortem to assist with the investigation into her death.

The incident has once again highlighted the risk of fires in commercial premises where various types of goods are stored. In addition to causing substantial financial losses, the blaze claimed the life of an employee who was inside the building when the fire broke out.

By the time the initial response at the scene had been completed, police had not announced the exact cause of the fire or the circumstances in which it started. Investigators still needed to take witness statements and examine the scene to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Police Investigate Cause of the Fire

After the fire had been extinguished and the initial response completed, police cordoned off the scene with police tape. The measure was intended to secure the premises and allow investigators to carry out their work.

The criminal investigation unit of Jambi City Police took charge of the investigation to establish the cause of the fire. It is expected to work with the forensic laboratory of the South Sumatra Regional Police to conduct technical examinations at the scene.

The forensic examination is intended to help investigators identify the point where the fire started and establish possible evidence of its cause. Witness statements and findings from the scene will also be assessed to build a clearer picture of the incident.

Meanwhile, the Jambi Police Chief, through Jambi City Police public relations officer Inspector Edy Haryanto, urged the public to remain vigilant about fire hazards in homes and commercial premises.

"Ensure that electrical installations are safe, and never leave stoves or other sources of fire unattended. Report any potential fire hazards to the police or the nearest fire station immediately," he warned.

The appeal highlights the importance of regularly checking electrical systems and monitoring open flames to prevent fires. Business owners should also ensure that their buildings and workplaces are safe, particularly where large quantities of goods are stored.

Residents are urged to contact the fire brigade or police immediately at the first sign of a fire. Early reporting can help emergency services respond more quickly and prevent flames from spreading further.

The investigation into the fire at Toko Berkah Jaya is ongoing. Police are continuing to examine the cause of the blaze. Property damage is estimated at approximately 250 million Indonesian rupiah, and a female employee lost her life in the incident. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala