Pertamina Oil Refinery Fire; Police Ask Public Against Speculating

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Java Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Iqbal Alqudusy on Wednesday called for the patience of the public regarding the Pertamina oil refinery fire. The authorities are currently investigating the massive fire that destroyed one fuel tank at the Cilacap oil refinery. He urged the people not to speculate about the cause of the incident. 

The case is being handled by a joint investigation team from the National Police Main Headquarters (Mabes Polri), Central Java Police, and Cilacap police sector.

“We ask people to be patient and wait for the development of the investigation to its completion,” said Iqbal on November 17. 

So far, police are questioning 13 witnesses which include the Pertamina employees working in the electrical engineering department. They also obtained fluid samples from the wreckage.

A large fuel tank in the Pertamina refinery in Cilacap caught fire on the evening of November 13 and was only able to be put out the following morning. Unconfirmed news emerged blaming lightning strike as the main culprit. However, there have been zero official statements confirming the rumors.

Pertamina then issued a report about an internal audit the company conducted regarding the oil refinery’s protection system against lightning strikes on November 15. The audit report, which Tempo obtained a copy of, implied that added protection is needed.

Read: Police Examine 13 Witnesses in Pertamina's Cilacap Oil Refinery Fire

FAJAR PEBRIANTO