It took 13 hours to cool the embers that took seven lives in Mampang Prapatan

The duty officer from the Fire and Rescue Agency, Agus Guritno Gunawan, stated that the cooling process began at 11:10 PM and was completed at noon on Friday, May 19th, 2024.

"It took our team 13 hours to cool the building because the situation inside the shophouse was quite difficult," he said.

Also read: Fire in Mampang Kills 7 People, Traffic Jams

The hardest part to penetrate is on the fifth floor of the building. "On that floor there is still a closed rolling door. "Finally we broke it in so we could extinguish the embers inside," said Agus.

Regarding these conditions, the cooling process starts from the top floor and then continues to the bottom floor.

The cooling process takes a long time because many easily flammable materials are stored in the shop houses, such as thinner and paint. They also have to break down walls to remove the smoke.

"If smoke continues to billow, it is feared it will endanger officers," he said.

In addition to ensuring that there are no more remaining embers, the cooling process is also intended to comb through the area again to ensure that no victims are left behind. From the personnel's investigation, the room was very enclosed, with the only way out being the front door.

The seven of them are Thang Tjiman (75), Heni (39), Richie (2), Austin (8), Tiara (24), Shella, and one unidentified woman.

Also read: Trapped in a shop, one family dies in Mampang Prapatan

The Head of RT 006 RW 003 Mampang Prapatan, Tien Sutinah, stated that the four fatalities still had familial relations. Heni was the wife of the business owner, while Austin and Richie were Heni's children.

As for Thang Tjiman, he is the father of Heni. Meanwhile, Tiara, Shella, and a woman whose identity is unknown are household assistants of that family.

Tien stated that the victim's family is known to be quite friendly with the surrounding residents. Several times, this family has provided groceries to the surrounding residents. In one distribution, there were 50 packages given.

"The basic food packages are given during Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Chinese New Year," he said.

Tien stated that the family in question did not actually live in the shop house. They only occasionally stopped by. Their employees mostly live in rental properties located around the shop house.

“Even if we go there, it's only for a temporary stay. "As far as I know, this family is domiciled in Tangerang," said Tien again.