A devastating fire erupted on Tuesday inside a seven-storey commercial office building in Central Jakarta, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people, Reuters reported. The incident unfolded in one of the busiest and most densely populated business neighbourhoods in the capital, where thousands of office workers commute daily. The scale and speed of the flames caused chaos in the surrounding area, prompting people to flee onto the streets as thick columns of black smoke covered the skyline.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as the blaze intensified. The fire is believed to have started around midday on the first floor of the building, though officials have not yet established the exact cause. Within minutes, the flames shot upward through the structure, spreading to upper floors where many employees were present during their lunch break. Some workers were seated in the cafeteria when the blaze erupted, while others had stepped outside the office to eat, which may explain why certain floors had more survivors than others.
Rescue operations continued deep into the afternoon as emergency personnel struggled to navigate the smoke-filled building. Central Jakarta police chief Susatyo Purnomo Condro confirmed that the fire had been brought under control but warned that search efforts remain ongoing because additional victims are possibly trapped inside. He emphasised that firefighters and paramedics are now prioritising evacuation, medical assistance and cooling the building to eliminate the risk of reignition.
Television footage broadcast by Kompas TV captured dramatic scenes as firefighters guided employees down makeshift ladders from the upper floors. Some rescue workers were seen carrying body bags from the charred levels of the structure. Surviving employees who had inhaled smoke were rushed to nearby hospitals, while others stood outside in shock, waiting for news of colleagues who remained missing. Witnesses said the heat radiating from the building was intense enough to be felt from across the street.
Officials later confirmed that the office complex is occupied by Terra Drone Indonesia, a subsidiary of Japan-based Terra Drone Corporation that provides industrial drone services to large-scale mining, agriculture, and energy clients. The company has not yet issued a public statement. It is unclear how many of the victims were employees of Terra Drone and how many belonged to other firms operating inside the building.
Authorities have sealed off the surrounding roads and launched a formal investigation to determine whether electrical faults, negligent repairs, flammable materials, or inadequate fire-safety systems contributed to the tragedy. Questions are already being raised about the condition and compliance of the building, especially because of the speed with which the flames spread across multiple floors.
By evening, emergency teams were still attempting to identify victims and locate missing staff, while psychological support counsellors were stationed outside the building to assist traumatised families and co-workers. As nighttime approached, police reiterated that the priority remained life-saving operations and full accountability over how the disaster unfolded.
For now, Jakarta’s authorities have urged surrounding businesses to conduct fresh fire-safety audits immediately, highlighting this incident as a grim reminder of how quickly workplace disasters can escalate when early warning systems or escape routes fail.
