Inp.polri.go.id - Blora.  The death toll from an illegal oil well fire in Blora Regency has risen to three as authorities continue battling the blaze that erupted in Dukuh Gendono, Gandu Village, Bogorejo District, on Sunday.

The Blora Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) confirmed the fatalities on Monday (18/8/2025), identifying the victims as Tanek (60), Sureni (52), and Wasini (50), all residents of Gandu and nearby hamlets. 

Two more victims, Yeti (30) and her two-year-old child, remain in intensive care at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta with severe burns, according to antaranews.com

The incident, triggered by a blowout and gas surge from a non-standard well, forced at least 50 families to evacuate to relatives’ homes. Livestock were also affected, with one cow and two goats killed in the fire. Several houses sustained damage, including one destroyed and four moderately damaged.

BPBD Chief Mulyowati said efforts to control the flames remain challenging due to high gas pressure. Pertamina EP Field Cepu has joined the operation, deploying cooling systems and attempting to smother the fire with soil. 

By Monday afternoon, joint teams were still struggling to contain the blaze, building embankments and supplying water to prevent the fire from spreading further.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)