Head of the Service Division of Dr. R. Soetijono Blora Regional Hospital, Dr. Farida Laela, confirmed that one person died and four people were injured in a major fire that engulfed a community-owned oil well in Dukuh Gendono, Gandu Village, Bogorejo District, Blora Regency, Central Java.
"According to emergency room records, one person died and four residents suffered 70-90 percent burns. The injured are currently undergoing referral," Farida said when met in Blora on Sunday.
Blora Police Public Relations Chief, AKP Gembong Widodo, explained that the incident began around 12:30 a.m. WIB (Western Indonesian Time) while residents were busy with their activities. However, at 12:51 a.m. WIB, the well blew out, triggering a large fire that spread to the oil drilling site.
"The flames immediately grew and engulfed the drilling area. Residents panicked and fled for their lives," said AKP Gembong.
The soaring flames are still being extinguished. Five fire trucks have been deployed to the scene.
The fire is still burning and joint officers continue to try to handle it at the scene.
Police have also put up police lines and are conducting an investigation into the exact cause of the illegal oil well fire incident.
