Kuningan Police investigate cause of Ciniru landfill fire, exploring intentionality

The Kuningan Resort Police in West Java are actively investigating the cause of a significant fire that engulfed the Ciniru landfill (TPSA). The investigation aims to determine whether the blaze resulted from intentional acts or negligence, according to police chief AKBP Bellen Anggara Pratama.

Police stated that the investigation will commence in earnest once the immediate firefighting and cooling operations are completed. Currently, joint teams comprising the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), police, and local government officials are focused on extinguishing remaining hotspots and cooling the affected area. The priority remains on containing the fire and preventing its spread to surrounding areas, including a nearby bamboo grove that was reportedly affected.

AKBP Bellen emphasized that the investigation process will not impede the ongoing efforts to control the fire, which has generated substantial smoke. "We are all focused on extinguishing it; this is our shared responsibility," he stated. The police chief assured that the fire is being managed effectively to prevent it from spreading further.

Indra Bayu, the Head of the Kuningan Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), explained that the joint team is concentrating on cooling operations on the southern, northern, and eastern sides of the landfill to reduce heat and smoke. To accurately map hot spots, the BPBD is coordinating with the Cirebon Regency BPBD to utilize thermal drones. The firefighting operation is supported by various equipment, including fire trucks, water tanks, two excavators, and four sprinkler units from the West Java Provincial BPBD. A field kitchen and health services are also available for the personnel involved. The fire has impacted an area of nearly five hectares.