Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra – April 2025
A massive fire tore through a second-hand clothing market in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, reducing more than 200 kiosks to ashes in the early hours of the morning. Local authorities later confirmed that the fire was an act of arson, carried out by a pedicab (becak) driver allegedly motivated by personal grievances.
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According to initial reports from the Tanjung Balai Police Department, the suspect, a man in his 40s, had been involved in a dispute with one of the traders at the market. Witnesses reported that the man appeared agitated following a confrontation, and returned to the location later that night carrying a flammable substance.
“He was clearly upset,” said one eyewitness, a night guard stationed near the market. “Nobody thought he would go that far. The next thing we knew, flames were everywhere.”
The fire quickly escalated, fueled by the tightly packed stalls and the abundance of synthetic fabrics and other flammable materials inside. Firefighters were called to the scene around 2 a.m. and battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the damage is immense.
The Tanjung Balai Market is a major economic hub in the city, especially for small traders who sell used clothes imported from overseas. With over 200 stalls destroyed, hundreds of families now face financial uncertainty.
“I’ve been selling here for more than 10 years,” said Siti Rahma, a vendor who lost her entire inventory in the fire. “Everything I had is gone. I don’t know how I’ll recover from this.”
Authorities have arrested the suspect, who is now in police custody and undergoing interrogation. Investigators are working to determine whether the attack was premeditated and whether other individuals may have been involved.
Local officials have pledged to provide emergency assistance to affected traders. Plans for market reconstruction are being discussed, though timelines remain uncertain due to the extent of the damage and the need for funding.
Mayor H.M. Waris Tholib expressed his condolences and stated that the city will take firm measures to improve security in public markets. “This tragedy has shocked us all,” he said in a press briefing. “We will stand by our traders and ensure that justice is served.”
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The incident has also sparked broader discussions about mental health, economic pressures, and the lack of conflict resolution resources for low-income workers. Many residents are calling for more community support services to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As cleanup efforts begin and investigations continue, the city of Tanjung Balai is left grappling with the emotional and economic scars of one man’s desperate act of vengeance.
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