Inp.polri.go.id - North Penajam Paser.  The East Kalimantan Regional Police assisted by the Indonesian National Police Forensic (INP) LaboratorySurabaya, are investigating the cause of a fire that tore through a worker housing tower in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara (IKN).

“Based on witness accounts, the fire likely started in room 307 on the third floor of Tower 14,” said Assistant Senior Inspector Dian Kusnawan, the Head of the Noth Penajam Paser Criminal Investigation Unit, on Friday (3/10/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The blaze on Wednesday forced the evacuation of 700 construction workers, with 24 rooms on the third and fourth floors destroyed. Investigators found electronic appliances such as water heaters, which are prohibited in the facility, but the exact cause awaits forensic results.

The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) stressed that the incident would not disrupt ongoing construction. 

“All development activities continue as normal,” said OIKN spokesperson Troy Pantouw. 

Affected workers from PT PP, PT Brantas Abipraya, and PT Nindya Karya have been temporarily relocated. Damage assessments are underway.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)