The severe fire that hit the official residence of the Papua Police Chief, Inspector General of Police Mathius D Fahiri which occurred on Tuesday (17/1/2023) caused the entire main building of the official residence to burn down.

The official residence of the Papua Police Chief is located on Trikora Street, Dok V Atas, Jayapura City, Papua Province.

Jayapura City Police Chief Kombes Pol Victor Dean Mackbon said the fire incident occurred at 3.40 WIT early this morning. Due to this incident, a number of fire fighting vehicles belonging to the TNI and Polri as well as the Jayapura City Government were deployed to assist in the process of extinguishing the fire.

"The incident occurred at around 3.40 WIT, we received a report where the residence of the Kapolda was on fire, then we immediately responded, from all levels of the TNI, Polri, regional government, dispatched firefighting vehicles. Approximately six units were deployed," said Victor who was met journalists at the scene of the incident, Tuesday (17/1/2023) this morning.

According to Victor, the Police will immediately conduct an investigation regarding the fire incident that hit the Papua Police Chief's official residence.

"While currently still in the process of cooling down, we have taken steps, then we will carry out a Police Line at the scene for investigation," he said.

Victor said that there were no injuries or fatalities in the incident. There are only material losses.

"For the time being regarding the victims, there are only material losses, namely buildings that are on fire, but for injured victims and fatalities, we are thankful that there are none," he said.

In this incident, according to Victor, his party was still conducting examinations of a number of witnesses who were Polri personnel who were in charge of guarding the official residence of the Papuan Police Chief when the incident occurred.

"Temporary suspicion, it is still under investigation. We are still fulfilling the testimony of witnesses, members who were at the location, who happened to be guarding the residence of the Head of the Regional Police. All aides and duty officers who were at the residence were all questioned. We are in the process of finding out the cause the origin of the fire," he said.

Regarding the alleged sabotage, the Chief of Police firmly said that it was still under investigation. According to him, the main cause of the fire incident is still under investigation. According to Victor, the Police cannot predict the main cause of the fire that occurred at the Kapolda's residence.

"This is still under investigation, we can't guess. Everything is in the investigation process," he said.