Devastating Fire Engulfs Plastic Factory in West Java

Major Blaze in West Java

A significant fire erupted at a plastic manufacturing facility in Wanaherang, Gunung Putri, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Sunday, March 29, around 3:30 p.m. local time. The inferno produced thick smoke that filled the sky, challenging the efforts of firefighters who worked tirelessly for nearly seven hours to bring it under control, finally achieving this at 10:10 p.m. Cooling measures continued throughout the night to avert any potential flare-ups.

Intense Firefighting Efforts

The Bogor Regency Fire and Rescue Service, known as Damkar, dispatched approximately 50 personnel to tackle the fire, supported by volunteers, military members, and police. The response included ten fire trucks, two rescue units, a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus unit, and several ambulances.

Challenges Faced by Firefighters

Yudi Santosa, the head of the Bogor Regency Fire and Rescue Service, highlighted the extreme conditions faced by his team. The combination of challenging terrain, burning plastic, and the prolonged duration of the operation led to several firefighters requiring medical assistance, including oxygen support. Fortunately, all personnel were accounted for and received necessary treatment on-site. After the fire was contained, the team was finally able to take a break and have a meal. "Alhamdulillah, finally the members can eat after seven hours of fighting with the fire," he remarked.

Dangers of Plastic Fires

The nature of the burning material posed significant risks for both firefighters and nearby individuals. When ignited, plastic burns at high temperatures, spreads quickly, and releases toxic smoke. Yudi emphasized that the primary goal during the operation was to prevent the fire from extending beyond the factory, given the rapid escalation potential of burning plastic.

Investigation Pending

As of Sunday evening, the cause of the fire remained undetermined. Yudi stated that investigators would only begin examining the fire's origin once the extinguishing and cooling operations were fully completed. "The focus is on extinguishing first, then investigating the cause," he explained.