JAKARTA, El Sky News – A devastating fire ripped through the Jakarta office of drone technology company Terra Drone Indonesia on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, resulting in the tragic loss of 22 lives. The fatalities include 15 women and 7 men, among them an employee who was reportedly pregnant.
The Incident and Initial Findings
The blaze is reported to have started around 12:43 PM WIB (Western Indonesia Time), during the company’s lunch hour. The fire originated on the first floor of the seven-story building, located on Jalan Letjen Suprapto, Cempaka Baru, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was triggered by a malfunctioning drone battery (believed to be lithium-based) igniting in the storage area on the ground floor. Witnesses reported hearing a minor explosion followed by the rapid spread of flames and, critically, dense, toxic smoke throughout the structure.
Fatalities and Emergency Response
The majority of the 22 victims died due to smoke inhalation as they became trapped on the upper floors. Firefighters discovered the highest concentration of victims on the third and fourth floors.
Employees initially attempted to use fire extinguishers (APAR) but were unable to contain the blaze. The rapid spread of smoke quickly rendered evacuation routes impassable.
- Evacuation Efforts: Fire and Rescue Department personnel managed to evacuate survivors by utilizing specialized ladders and assisting employees who were able to cross onto an adjacent building from the rooftop.
- Victims: All 22 confirmed victims were Terra Drone Indonesia employees.
Ongoing Investigation
The local Police have cordoned off the site with police lines and launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The primary focus is to determine the exact cause of the fire and to investigate potential negligence that may have contributed to the high number of fatalities.
The Forensic Laboratory Team (Labfor) has been deployed to the scene to conduct a detailed analysis of the structure and the burnt materials to definitively confirm the source of the ignition. The incident has cast a spotlight on safety protocols concerning the storage and handling of lithium batteries in commercial office settings.
