A devastating fire tore through a seven-storey office building in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, killing at least 22 people in one of the deadliest workplace disasters to strike the Indonesian capital in recent years. The blaze erupted around midday in the Kemayoran neighborhood of Central Jakarta, trapping workers on upper floors as thick black smoke billowed into the sky.
Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro confirmed that 15 women and 7 men lost their lives in the fire, which started on the first floor before rapidly spreading upward through the building. Among the victims was a pregnant woman. Police believe the fire began after a battery exploded in a storage and testing area used by PT Terra Drone Indonesia, the drone technology company that occupied the building.
The fire broke out during the lunch hour, when many workers had stepped away from their desks. Witnesses reported that a battery being charged began sparking before flames engulfed the lower level. The drone company provides unmanned aerial vehicle technology for various industrial sectors, including construction, mining, oil and gas, energy, plantations and urban planning.
Emergency services deployed 28-29 fire trucks and about 100 firefighting personnel to battle the blaze. Dramatic footage captured the tense rescue operation as firefighters extended aerial ladders to the sixth floor, where numerous employees remained trapped. Each person had to be lowered individually from the building as thick smoke made breathing difficult for those waiting their turn. At least 19 workers were successfully rescued from the burning structure.
The fire was extinguished after three hours of intense effort, with flames brought under control by 3:00 PM. However, evacuation operations continued until approximately 5:00 PM as rescue teams combed through the building’s upper levels. Susatyo noted that access to the sixth floor proved particularly challenging for firefighters working to reach trapped victims.
Most victims died from smoke inhalation rather than burns, according to police. The bodies were transferred to Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta for identification. “We are still collecting data,” Susatyo told the Associated Press. “But for now, we are focusing on identifying the victims who have been found.”
A resident living near the building, Intan Puspita, described hearing a loud bang before seeing workers running outside. She witnessed approximately 20 victims being evacuated in body bags. Workers on the upper floors attempted to reach the rooftop to escape the advancing flames and smoke that cut off access from below.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung visited the site and called on company leaders to foster a workplace safety culture and develop emergency evacuation plans. He noted concerns about the lack of emergency access in the building’s design.
The Central Jakarta Metro Police launched a criminal investigation to determine whether negligence or other violations contributed to the disaster. Adjunct Commissioner Roby Saputra, head of the Central Jakarta Police Criminal Investigation Unit, confirmed that authorities would summon the building owner and PT Terra Drone executives for questioning.
Six people have been questioned so far, consisting of 4 employees and 2 human resources staff members. Investigators are examining potential safety failures by the operator, management or building owner. “We are still probing whether criminal elements are involved in this case, including possible negligence,” Roby stated.
Police are also reviewing the completeness of the building’s operational and safety permits as part of the inquiry. While initial reports suggested a drone battery overheating may have triggered the fire, the exact cause remains under investigation by the National Police forensic laboratory.
The Cempaka Baru area office fire has raised urgent questions about workplace safety standards in Indonesia’s commercial buildings. Building fires in densely populated urban areas pose significant risks due to evacuation challenges, particularly in multi-story structures where smoke can quickly fill stairwells and corridors, cutting off escape routes. The presence of lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in drone technology and other electronics, adds another layer of danger as these power sources can overheat and ignite under certain conditions.
Families anxiously waited for news at hospitals and near the building throughout Tuesday evening as rescue operations continued. Emergency crews maintained their presence at the scene, conducting thorough searches to ensure no additional victims remained inside. A police officer and a firefighter experienced breathing difficulties during the rescue operation but survived.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full sequence of events that led to this deadly workplace fire and whether proper safety protocols were in place to protect employees.