DRONE BATTERY SUSPECTED AS SOURCE OF TERRA DRONE FIRE - JAKARTA POLICE

JAKARTA, Dec 12 (Bernama-ANTARA) -- Indonesian police believe the fire at the Terra Drone shophouse in Jakarta, which killed 22 people on December 9, was sparked by a drone battery that fell and ignited, reported ANTARA news agency.

"We are questioning two key witnesses who saw the fire firsthand," Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Senior Commissioner Susatyo Purnomo Condro said on Friday.

According to him, statements from the key witnesses indicate that the fire was caused by a falling drone battery.

The drone batteries that fell had a capacity of 30,000 mAh and were stacked in layers of four. When they hit the ground, the batteries emitted sparks.

"According to the witness, the sparks appeared the moment they fell, and other batteries were also stored in that area," Condro noted.

After the sparks ignited the fire, it spread rapidly and engulfed the first floor, which primarily functioned as an inventory storage area.

Earlier, on Thursday, Head of the Central Jakarta Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit Adjunct Senior Commissioner Roby Heri Saputra revealed that investigators had gathered two pieces of evidence to designate MW, the President Director of Terra Drone, as a suspect in the Kemayoran shophouse fire.

"We made an arrest last night based on two pieces of preliminary evidence and the investigators' assessment," Saputra said.

He added that the evidence, supported by the investigators' findings, met the requirements to detain MW as a suspect.

The evidence collected by the police included witness testimonies, documents, and material found at the scene.

Saputra also stated that the arrest of additional suspects remains possible, as the investigation involving other employees and related individuals is still ongoing.

Authorities have interviewed 13 witnesses so far, including employees, managers, and nearby residents.

The fire broke out during the midday break, trapping most workers who were resting on the second to sixth floors, as the blaze quickly spread from the ground level.

--BERNAMA-ANTARA