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Mysterious Home Fires in Sleman Possibly Caused by Chicken Processing Waste
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Mysterious Home Fires in Sleman Possibly Caused by Chicken Processing Waste

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A team from Gadjah Mada University suspects hydrogen gas from chicken waste fermentation caused recurring fires at a Sleman home.
  • The gas may have ignited due to the presence of phosphine gas, also linked to chicken bone and feather decomposition.
  • Experts recommend improved ventilation and neutralizing the soil with lime water to prevent future incidents.

A mysterious series of fires plaguing a home in Sleman, Indonesia, may be caused by gases released from decomposing chicken waste, according to a preliminary investigation by Gadjah Mada University (UGM) experts. The fires have repeatedly erupted within the residence of Mutfiana in Seyegan.

Alva Edy Tontowi, coordinator of UGM's Entropy Slowing Study Center, stated that the fires are associated with the detection of hydrogen gas (H2) at the site. This gas is strongly suspected to originate from the fermentation process of organic waste from the family's chicken processing business. The team also noted the potential presence of phosphine gas (PH3), which is more flammable and could be formed from phosphate-rich materials like chicken bones and hard feathers.

Hydrogen gas is strongly suspected to originate from the fermentation process of organic waste from the chicken processing business.

— Alva Edy TontowiCoordinator of the Entropy Slowing Study Center at Gadjah Mada University, explaining the preliminary findings of the investigation into recurring fires.

"Phosphine gas is unfortunately not easily detected and will burn up if it meets oxygen. It is highly possible that phosphine gas triggered the ignition of hydrogen gas released simultaneously," Alva explained, adding that further investigation is needed. The UGM team is also examining liquid waste as a potential source. To mitigate the risk, they recommend maximizing ventilation in the house, installing fans, and removing flammable items. They also plan to help neutralize the soil and floor with lime water to suppress bacteria that produce hydrogen gas. The mysterious fires have occurred over eighty times in the past two weeks, even spreading to a nearby shop used by the family.

It is highly possible that phosphine gas triggered the ignition of hydrogen gas released simultaneously.

— Alva Edy TontowiExplaining the potential interaction between different gases found at the fire site.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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