Semarang (ANTARA) - An oil well fire in Gendono Hamlet, Gandu Village, Bogorejo District, claimed at least two lives and left several others injured, the Blora District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in Central Java reported.

As of early Monday, two residents -- Tanek (60), a farmer from Gandu Village, and Sureni (52), a Gendono Hamlet resident -- had died from severe burns, according to Agung Triyono of BPBD’s Rapid Response Team (TRC).

“Three others, including a toddler, are receiving intensive care in hospital,” Agung said.

The fire, which broke out early Sunday (August 17) around 12:30 p.m. local time, was triggered by a blowout at a resident-operated oil well, according to Blora Police spokesperson Adjunct Police Commissioner (AKP) Gembong Widodo.

“The flames quickly engulfed the drilling site, causing panic among residents,” he said.

The blaze forced 50 families to evacuate to safer locations or relatives’ homes.

Livestock -- including six cows and three goats -- were also relocated.

Officials reported that one house was severely damaged and three others moderately affected ny the fire.

Head of Services at dr. R. Soetijono Blora Regional Hospital, dr. Farida Laela, confirmed four seriously injured victims, with burns covering 70–90% of their bodies. “They are currently undergoing referral treatment,” she said.

Five fire trucks were deployed, and joint personnel continued efforts to extinguish the fire and monitor the area as of Monday morning.

Police have cordoned off the site and are investigating the cause of the illegal oil well fire.

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