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| Ketapang house fire destroys vacant home in Kampung Kauman. Suspected electrical short circuit sparked the blaze after sunset. No injuries reported; losses reach hundreds of millions of rupiah. |
KETAPANG – A house fire in Ketapang broke out on Saturday evening, February 21, 2026, destroying a vacant home on Wolter Monginsidi Street, Kauman Subdistrict, Benua Kayong District, Ketapang, West Kalimantan.
According to residents, the house was empty at the time of the incident because the owner was away breaking the Ramadan fast with family. The Ketapang house fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit originating from the front section of the property.
Nur, a nearby resident, said she heard a loud popping sound moments before the flames spread.
“It sounded like firecrackers coming from the electric meter area at the front of the house. Shortly after that, the fire grew rapidly,” she explained.
The vacant house fire in Ketapang occurred shortly after sunset. Within minutes, flames engulfed nearly the entire structure, leaving neighbors in shock as thick smoke filled the area.
Another resident, Sri, said she learned about the house fire in Kampung Kauman Ketapang while reciting prayers after Maghrib.
“I had just finished praying when neighbors started shouting about a fire,” she said.
By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, much of the house had already been reduced to debris. Only parts of the walls and a section of the kitchen remained standing. Burned materials and rubble were scattered around the property.
Authorities confirmed there were no injuries or fatalities in the Ketapang house fire incident. However, financial losses are estimated to reach hundreds of millions of rupiah.
This incident serves as a critical reminder for homeowners to regularly inspect electrical installations, especially when leaving properties unattended. Electrical short circuits remain one of the leading causes of residential fires, and routine maintenance can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.