Fire Erupts on Sarinah Building Billboard, No Casualties Reported

Jakarta — December 28, 2025 — A fire broke out on a large billboard and decorative ornament on the exterior of the historic Sarinah Building in Central Jakarta on Sunday night, prompting swift action from building staff and fire officials but causing no reported injuries or fatalities.

The blaze was first observed at around 21:08 local time at a decorative ribbon and electronic billboard installed on the facade (outer facade) of the Sarinah Thamrin building on Jalan MH Thamrin, Menteng District. The fire drew immediate attention as smoke and flames were visible from the street and several nearby buildings, triggering concern among passersby and visitors in the busy downtown area. Local reports and video footage circulating on social media captured the moment flames briefly lit up the night sky before fire crews arrived. (detikfinance)

According to an official statement released by PT Sarinah (Persero), the fire was extinguished completely shortly after it began with the assistance of the building’s internal safety team and personnel from the Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service. Fire hydrants located on the west side of the building were used to bring the blaze under control, and the flames were fully doused within approximately 12 minutes of being reported. Sarinah’s management emphasized that the incident was localized to the decorative elements outside the structure and did not spread into the interior. (Liputan6)

“We can confirm that there were no casualties or injuries connected to this incident,” said Tora Prabu Banua Pardede, Corporate Secretary Group Head of PT Sarinah. “The safety and comfort of visitors, employees, partners, and everyone in the surrounding area remain our top priority,” he added in a written statement. The company also noted that it would conduct further inspections to verify the safety of the building and determine the exact cause of the fire, following standard safety protocols. (CNBC Indonesia)

Emergency responders from the Jakarta Fire Department arrived at the scene and confirmed that the fire was largely contained before their full deployment was necessary, although eight fire trucks and dozens of personnel were on standby to assist if required. The presence of flames near a public thoroughfare and shopping area briefly disrupted pedestrian traffic, but operations at the shopping mall and office complex continued without interruption. (detikfinance)

Sarinah’s management has assured the public that routine operations resumed as normal the following day, and ongoing checks are underway to prevent similar incidents. Authorities are also reviewing the incident as part of their periodic enforcement of building safety standards, with the final official cause of the fire expected to be released once investigations are complete.