TULUNGAGUNG – A house fire in Sendang District killed six goats and caused heavy property losses after a resident reportedly burned trash to drive away mosquitoes, authorities said.
The Sendang house fire broke out at around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Pulo Hamlet, Picisan Village, Tulungagung Regency. Flames quickly spread from a small burn pile to a livestock shed and part of a nearby house.
Mukono, the homeowner, lost a section of his residence and animal shelter in the blaze. Firefighters said dry and combustible materials around the area, combined with strong winds, allowed the fire to spread rapidly.
Bambang Pidekso, Head of Operational Control at the Tulungagung Fire and Rescue Agency, said an initial investigation pointed to negligence during trash burning near the livestock enclosure.
“The homeowner initially burned trash to repel mosquitoes. Because the fire was close to the animal shed, the flames spread and grew larger,” Bambang said.
According to firefighters, the fire first reached a cattle and goat shelter before spreading to part of the main house. Emergency crews received the report at about 3:55 a.m. and arrived at the scene around 4:35 a.m.
The mountainous terrain of Sendang District contributed to the longer travel time. By the time firefighters reached the location, flames had already engulfed the livestock shed and a portion of the house.
“Winds were quite strong at the scene, allowing the fire to spread quickly. When our team arrived, the shed and part of the house were already on fire,” Bambang said.
The Tulungagung Fire and Rescue Agency deployed one fire engine, two water supply vehicles, and one rescue unit. Firefighters immediately focused on containing the blaze to prevent it from reaching nearby structures.
Crews managed to bring the situation under control after completing firefighting and cooling operations. Authorities declared the fire contained at around 5:30 a.m.
“The response went smoothly, and firefighters successfully contained the fire. No one suffered injuries, and there were no fatalities,” Bambang said.
Although no people were hurt, the damage proved substantial. Six goats died inside the burning shed before rescuers could save them.
The homeowner also lost around Rp 8 million (approximately US$490) in cash. About one ton of harvested rice and a supply of fertilizer also burned in the fire.
“The losses include damage to buildings, household belongings, harvested crops, livestock, and cash. We estimate the total loss at around Rp 90 million,” Bambang said.
Following the incident, firefighters urged residents to exercise greater caution when burning trash or other materials. Officials warned that even a small fire can quickly turn into a major disaster when left unattended near homes, livestock facilities, or other flammable materials.
The Sendang house fire serves as another reminder of the risks associated with open burning, particularly during dry and windy conditions that can accelerate the spread of flames.