Jakarta office building fire leaves 22 dead, authorities investigating cause

Indonesian emergency officials say at least 22 people died after a fire swept through a seven storey office building in central Jakarta on Tuesday. Local police reported that the blaze is believed to have started on the ground floor where batteries were stored, before spreading quickly through several levels of the building.

Firefighters deployed nearly 30 fire trucks and hundreds of personnel to contain the flames. Crews worked for about three hours before bringing the situation under control.

Authorities have launched an investigation into what triggered the incident, noting concerns about electrical storage and safety practices in commercial buildings. The victims were taken to a police hospital in East Jakarta for identification.

The tragedy has renewed public attention on fire preparedness in densely populated urban areas, an issue also highlighted in past safety reviews across Southeast Asia.