Fire Destroys Traditional Village in Sukabumi, West Java

An inferno ravaged the Kasepuhan Ciptamulya traditional village in Sukabumi, West Java, on Saturday afternoon, consuming all 51 wooden stilt houses and their traditional roofs. The fire, which began around 2 PM on July 25, 2026, spread with alarming speed, leaving nothing salvageable in approximately 20 minutes, according to the village head, Edik Supriatna.

The blaze is believed to have originated from a short circuit in a communal bathroom facility (MCK) during the intense heat of the dry season. It quickly spread to a gamelan music pavilion, then to rice barns, and subsequently engulfed the main traditional house and surrounding residential structures. In total, 49 rice barns, a health post, a PAUD early childhood education building, a social hall, a gallery, a command post, a neighborhood watch post, and part of a mosque were also destroyed.

Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities occurred. Supriatna explained that residents were mostly outdoors due to the time of day, and villagers actively alerted others to evacuate. However, 159 people from 52 families have been displaced and are staying with relatives. The unique stilt houses, built with wood and traditional roofing, were particularly vulnerable, while nearby permanent structures remained untouched.

Efforts to combat the fire were hampered by its rapid spread and the remote location. The nearest fire department is approximately 25 kilometers away in Pelabuhan Ratu. Emergency aid, including food, water, and clothing, has begun arriving, with needs for blankets and sleeping materials also highlighted. The Sukabumi Regent has declared a seven-day emergency response status for the village, allocating regional budget funds for relief efforts. The community will later decide whether to rebuild on the current site or relocate.