Huge fire at an oil depot in Indonesia kills at least 17 people, including 2 children, as it tears through homes

A massive fire at a major oil depot in Indonesia swept through a neighborhood killing at least 17 people, including two children, and leaving dozens injuries

A fire ravaged a neighborhood in Indonesia (

Image: AFP via Getty Images

A massive fire engulfed a neighborhood, killing 17 people, including two children, and injuring dozens after it started at an oil depot in Indonesia.

TV footage shows people running in fear as the blaze spread with orange flames and thick plumes of smoke filling the sky in the densely populated Tenah Merah area in North Jakarta.< /p>

Thousands of people had to be evacuated after the fire at the Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, which supplies 25% of Indonesia's fuel.

At least 260 firefighters and 52 fire trucks were battling to contain the blaze in the nearby neighborhood, firefighters said.

A preliminary investigation showed that the fire started when a pipeline ruptured in heavy rain, possibly due to a lightning strike, said Eko Kristiawan, regional manager of Pertamina .

At least 17 people were killed in the fire (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

He said the fire would not disrupt the country's fuel supply.

Jakarta Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono said about 600 displaced people were being taken to temporary shelters at several government offices and a sports stadium.

Satriadi Gunawan, who heads the Jakarta Fire and Rescue Service, said at least 17 people died, including two children, and 50 were hospitalized, some with severe burns.

"The fire caused several explosions and quickly spread to residential homes," Gunawan said.

Indonesian Minister of Public Enterprises Erick Thohir expressed his condolences to the victims and their families and ordered Pertamina to thoroughly investigate the fire and focus on prompt assistance to the community.