Medan –
A fire engulfed dozens of houses in Kesawan Village, West Medan District, Medan City earlier this morning. Residents who were asleep at the time were startled when they saw flames spreading from the rooftops.
Many residents gathered to see the houses, now reduced to rubble. Some were seen sitting listlessly while holding salvaged belongings.
Meanwhile, the fire has now been extinguished. According to residents, the flames were put out around 7:00 AM local time.
One of the victims, Anju (35), was seen sitting exhausted near the fire site, specifically at the Kobek Block Dormitory in Medan. She recounted that the fire started around 3:30 AM.
“I was asleep at the time, then suddenly the air felt hot. When I woke up, I saw flames already on the roof, and some burning wood fell on me. When I opened the door, many neighbors were already outside,” Anju said.
Anju quickly ran out, taking only her motorcycle. She admitted to panicking and not having time to save her other possessions.
“I couldn’t save anything else. Just the motorcycle—everything else was left behind,” she said.
Imran shared a similar experience. He could only resign himself to seeing his house completely destroyed.
“The whole house was burned, completely destroyed. It happened at 3:30 AM when everyone was asleep. I couldn’t save anything. My neighbors woke me up, shouting ‘Get up!’ I immediately jumped out and carried my wife, who has a stroke,” Imran said.
“Right now, my wife and other neighbors are taking shelter at the local office,” he added.
Several residents were seen carrying belongings as they prepared to evacuate.
“I’m going to stay with family for now. All my money was burned in the fire,” said Ida, a resident.
