Jayapura fire displaces thousands in Mandala coastal area

A massive fire broke out in the densely populated Mandala coastal area of North Jayapura District, Papua, on Monday afternoon. The blaze, which began around 2:25 PM WIT, spread rapidly through residential settlements, fueled by flammable building materials and limited road access.

Preliminary reports indicate that approximately 550 households, affecting roughly 2,000 people, have been impacted by the fire. Many residents have lost their homes and have been forced to seek shelter with relatives or in emergency tents established by the Jayapura City Government, the TNI, and the Polri.

Emergency response teams, including police, firefighters, and military personnel, worked for several hours to control the flames. The fire was brought under control by the evening, and cooling operations were conducted to prevent reignition. The Jayapura City Police (Polresta Jayapura Kota) are currently investigating the cause of the fire, with Commissioner Fredrickus Maclarimboen stating that officials are still collecting data to determine the exact trigger.