TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A massive blaze broke out at state-run oil firm Pertamina’s Balongan oil refinery in Indramayu Regency, West Java, in the early hours of Monday, March 29.

The huge flames that engulfed the refinery were visible from a distance of five kilometers. “The fire looks really big from here,” said Suci, a resident of Indramayu, as quoted from Antara on Monday.

Another resident Dedi gave a similar statement, detailing that he heard a loud sound before the fire started.

Pertamina said that four residents fell victims when the explosion and fire broke out at 00:45 local times in the morning. Corporate Secretary of PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) Ifki Sukarya said the four victims were residents who accidentally passed by the site which is about 200 kilometers east of Jakarta.

“Four residents suffer burns and have been undergoing intensive treatment at the Indramayu Regional Hospital,” said Ifki in an official statement on Monday.

The cause of the fire has not been determined and is still being investigated by the authorities. However, according to Ifki, there was heavy rainfall and lightning at the time of the incident.

Pertamina has prepared evacuation sites for local residents in the Bumi Patra Housing Sports Hall (GOR) and Pendomo Indramayu Regency.

Pertamina appealed to residents to remain calm and stay far from the Balongan oil refinery. Presently, roads leading to the fire location were temporarily closed with the help of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

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