Shoe Factory Fire in Mojokerto Takes Over 24 Hours to Extinguish

MOJOKERTO, KOMPAS.com – The process of extinguishing the fire that engulfed PT Esa Kalen Jaya’s shoe factory in Kalen Village, Dlanggu District, Mojokerto Regency has taken more than 24 hours.

It was previously reported that the shoe factory PT Esa Kalen Jaya located on Brawijaya Street in Kalen Village, Dlanggu District, Mojokerto Regency caught fire severely on Thursday (September 17, 2026) around 10:15 a.m. local time.

The fire quickly spread to several factory buildings because the interiors were dominated by highly flammable materials such as foam, rubber, and other substances.

The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Mojokerto Regency, Rinaldi Rizal Sabirin, explained that as of Friday (September 18, 2026), firefighting efforts were still ongoing.

The affected factory area is estimated to be about 2,000 square meters, mostly comprising a warehouse for raw materials used in shoe production.

According to Rinaldi, the warehouse contents included various flammable raw shoe materials, from cardboard and rubber to highly combustible chemical substances, which complicated the firefighting efforts.

"Yesterday afternoon, the building that was on fire collapsed along with its roof frame. This caused the fire source to be covered by the building debris, making it difficult for us. So earlier, we deployed one excavator to clear the collapsed roof and building," Rinaldi Rizal Sabirin said on Friday (September 18, 2026).

Meanwhile, the Commander of Pos 1 Fire Department at BPBD Mojokerto Regency, Soekamto, stated that the number of fire trucks involved in the firefighting as of Friday (September 18, 2026) around 4:30 p.m. had decreased to three units.

KOMPAS.COM/MOH. NUR SYAHRI MUHARROM Heavy machinery clears debris at the PT Esa Kalen Jaya shoe factory in Dlanggu District, Mojokerto Regency to facilitate firefighting efforts.

This was a reduction from Thursday (September 17, 2026), when between noon and night seven fire trucks and one water cannon unit were deployed to fight the fire.

Additionally, dozens of water tank trucks were mobilized to supply water.

"We can only pray that the fire is completely extinguished before evening. The remaining wetting and debris clearing are being handled with the excavator," Soekamto told Kompas.com on Friday (September 18, 2026).

Field observations on Friday around 4:30 p.m. showed smoke still rising from several points within the factory’s collapsed structures.

Fire crews continued to spray water on hot spots to prevent the fire from reigniting.

Meanwhile, Dlanggu Police Chief AKP Anang Leo Afera explained that authorities were still investigating the exact cause of the fire.

However, initial suspicion points to sparks from welding activities on the factory’s second floor.

"It’s still unclear. This is our initial suspicion, but we are still investigating further," AKP Anang Leo Afera said.

Regarding the extent of the losses, calculations are still ongoing.

"Regarding the investigation, whether there was a criminal act or not, this is still under review. So it is being thoroughly examined first," the Dlanggu Police Chief concluded.