Massive Fire in South Bangka: 305 Homes Destroyed, 1,800 People Affected
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- Kebakaran besar di Dusun Serdang, Bangka Selatan, menghanguskan 305 rumah dan 50 gedung walet, menimbulkan kerugian sekitar Rp2 miliar.
- Sebanyak 450 keluarga dan 1.800 jiwa terdampak, dengan 500 orang mengungsi di tenda darurat dan masjid setempat.
- Penyebab kebakaran diduga dari pembakaran lahan yang merambat akibat angin kencang dan cuaca kering, sementara proses pendinginan masih berlangsung.
A massive fire swept through a densely populated settlement in Dusun Serdang, Desa Jelutung 2, Simpang Rimba District, South Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung, on Saturday (10/10). At least 305 homes were destroyed, forcing hundreds of families to flee and causing material losses estimated at Rp2 billion.
The latest data from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Bangka Belitung Islands Province recorded the affected area at 8.3 hectares. Besides homes, the fire also consumed 50 swiftlet houses that are a source of livelihood for some residents. As of Sunday (11/10) night, officials were still tallying other public facilities that were damaged.
Acting Head of BPBD of Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Agus Afandi, said the fire first appeared around 15:10 WIB. It is strongly suspected that the flames originated from land burning near the settlement and then spread quickly due to strong winds and dry conditions. Homes made mostly of wooden boards worsened the spread of the fire.
"Based on the information obtained, the cause of this massive fire began with land burning near the residential area. Because of strong winds and the dry location, the fire spread faster to the settlement," Agus said.
Although the fire has been extinguished, a joint team is still carrying out a cooling process to prevent new hotspots from re-emerging. To date, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. The local government has not yet issued an official statement on further steps for post-fire handling.
Most victims chose to take refuge in the homes of unaffected relatives, so the evacuation tents at SDN 7 Simpang Rimba are no longer full. However, basic needs such as clean water, food, and decent clothing remain major challenges. Coordination between BPBD, TNI/Polri, and volunteers continues to distribute aid.
This fire highlights the vulnerability of settlements in areas prone to land fires, especially during the dry season. The combination of land-clearing by burning, strong winds, and flammable building materials creates deadly conditions. The local government is urged not only to respond to emergencies but also to strengthen regulations and oversight of land-burning activities around settlements.
Going forward, the big question is whether this incident will push for stricter law enforcement against illegal land burning, and how to accelerate economic recovery for the 450 families who lost their homes and livelihoods. Without concrete steps, the risk of similar disasters in other areas in Bangka Belitung and other provinces could continue to recur.
