Mysterious Man Sets Fire to Street Vendor Carts in Cimahi; Residents Extinguish Blaze

A video circulating on social media shows a man, his face obscured by a hoodie and a backpack, intentionally setting fire to tarpaulins covering street vendor carts in Cimahi, West Java. The incident, captured by CCTV, took place late Friday night, July 31, 2026, on Jalan Pacinan.

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The incident happened late Friday night around half past eleven, many were shouting about a fire. I thought it was a shop, but when I looked, my cart was on fire.

Agung Kurniawan, 30, a vendor whose bakso cart was targeted, recounted hearing shouts about a fire around 11:30 PM. Initially thinking it was a shop, he discovered his own cart's tarpaulin engulfed in flames. Fortunately, nearby residents intervened, managing to extinguish the fire before it could cause more significant damage or spread to other buildings.

While the lower parts of the carts were scorched and the tarpaulins completely burned, the fire was contained. Kurniawan stated that the CCTV footage clearly indicates the act was deliberate. Several other vendors, including those selling dimsum, fried chicken, bakso, and ketoprak, also had their carts targeted in the arson attack.

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If it weren't for the quick action of the residents, it could have spread to other buildings.

As of Monday, August 3, 2026, the motive behind the arson remains unclear. The perpetrator, described as a man wearing a hooded sweater and carrying a backpack, remains unidentified. Authorities are investigating the incident.

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From the CCTV footage, it's clear the act was intentional. Besides mine, there were also bakso and ketoprak carts that were set on fire.