A ferocious fire erupted at Kasongan Market, sweeping through Katingan Regency in Indonesia's Central Kalimantan overnight into Monday, January 26, reducing bustling market stalls, dozens of homes, and a local school to smoldering heaps. The blaze, which locals first spotted around 9 p.m. local time behind a warung, increased in ferocity due to tightly packed wooden buildings, gusty winds, and scattered debris. Residents fled in panic as thick smoke choked the air, their cries echoing through the darkness.
Fire crews from Kasongan, Kereng Pangi, and even Palangkaraya reached the spot but the flames had already claimed at least 30 houses and MTs Al Badar school by dawn. Katingan Fire Chief Yoshua Paskaputra confirmed to reporters the call came at 9:30 p.m., pinning the spark on a likely electrical short in a nearby home. Harrowing videos circulating online show an apocalyptic scene: twisted metal, charred kiosks, and ash blanketing what was once a vibrant community hub. No official casualty tally has emerged yet. ---More...