Dozens of Stalls Burned Down in Cirebon Textile Market Fire

Dozens of vendor stalls were destroyed in a massive fire that swept through the Tegal Gubug Textile Market in Cirebon, West Java, on Tuesday. The blaze erupted in the Blok III As-Syafi’iyah area around 1:30 p.m. local time.

Initial investigations suggest the fire started due to an electrical short circuit originating from a KWH meter in the western part of the Blok G area. The fire quickly spread eastward, igniting stalls in Blok H. Security personnel and local residents attempted to extinguish the flames with available equipment, but strong winds and flammable building materials fueled the inferno.

Emergency services were alerted, and multiple fire engines from different sectors were dispatched to the scene. However, firefighters encountered significant obstacles, including narrow access roads that hindered their movement, a lack of nearby hydrants, and large crowds of onlookers that complicated their efforts. The fire department is working to contain the blaze and prevent further spread.