TRENGGALEK – An LPG Leak Fire destroyed a residential kitchen in Trenggalek, East Java, after a gas leak reportedly ignited while a homeowner was cooking beef on Monday morning.
The incident occurred at the home of Samsuri, a resident of Sawahan Village in Watulimo District. Although the blaze caused significant damage to the kitchen area, no injuries were reported, and authorities managed to secure property worth more than Rp 100 million (about $6,000).
According to local fire officials, the fire broke out at around 10:30 a.m. while Nela Yuli Agustina, the homeowner’s wife, was boiling beef in the kitchen.
Burhanuddin, head of Fire and Non-Fire Rescue Services at the Trenggalek Public Order and Fire Agency, said investigators suspect an LPG gas leak triggered the incident.
“The fire started from the gas stove while the victim was boiling beef. We suspect an LPG leak caused the flames to spread quickly and burn the kitchen area,” Burhanuddin said.
The flames rapidly spread through the cooking area and ignited several household items. Realizing the danger, the family immediately called for help from nearby residents.
Neighbors rushed to the scene and worked together to contain the fire using available equipment. Their quick response prevented the flames from spreading to other parts of the house.
A resident identified as Septika later contacted the Trenggalek Fire Department emergency call center at 11:25 a.m. Firefighters from the Watulimo response post departed for the location six minutes later.
Emergency crews arrived at approximately 11:50 a.m. By that time, local residents had already extinguished the flames.
Firefighters then inspected the damaged area and secured the LPG cylinder. They also checked the property carefully to ensure no hidden hotspots remained.
“Our team carried out safety inspections and secured the gas cylinder to make sure the situation was completely safe. No one suffered injuries in this incident,” Burhanuddin said.
The fire destroyed a kitchen measuring roughly four by eight meters. Authorities estimate material losses at around Rp 40 million.
Despite the damage, firefighters and residents succeeded in protecting assets worth more than Rp 100 million. Officials credited the swift response from neighbors and emergency personnel for limiting the impact of the fire.
The operation concluded within a relatively short period. Fire officials reported a response time of about 25 minutes and confirmed that crews quickly brought the situation under control.
Following the incident, authorities urged residents to inspect LPG installations regularly. Officials advised homeowners to check hoses, regulators, and gas connections before using stoves.
Burhanuddin said routine inspections can reduce the risk of leaks and help prevent similar fires in the future.
“We remind residents to check their LPG equipment regularly so incidents like this do not happen again,” he said.