Jakarta – The owner of the Terra Drone building that caught fire and killed 22 people has been questioned by the police. The owner admitted that his building did not have an emergency staircase. For information, the fire occurred on Tuesday (9/12/2025) afternoon. The fire started in the inventory room on the 1st floor where lithium polymer (LiPo) type drone batteries were stored. Batteries that have already been damaged are stored in a pile in that room. The battery then fell and a spark appeared and grabbed a usable battery that was also stored in the room. The fire then grew and spread to other floors of the building. Scroll TO CONTINUE CONTENT The total death toll from this fire incident was 22 people. The victim died because he was trapped on the top floor of the six-story building. The victims who died were unable to get out because the building was filled with smoke coming from the lower floors and there were minimal evacuation routes. Police investigating IMB and SLF Owners are also being questioned by the police. The police are investigating the building construction permit (BCP) and functional fitness certificate (CFC). “The owner came and was questioned,” the head of criminal investigation unit for the Central Jakarta Metropolitan Police AKBP, Roby Heri Saputra, told reporters on Wednesday (17/12/2025). Roby said the investigation was carried out on Saturday (13/12). He said his party was investigating building ownership, IMB and building supervision. “(What is being studied) relates to ownership, control of the building, IMB and SLF, knowledge of tenant activities, surveillance and prevention, and action after knowing the risks,” he said. Other potential suspects Roby said there are other potential suspects in the case. But he said evidence was still being gathered. “It does not rule out that there are other suspects, but we are still first strengthening the evidence,” he said. Currently, according to him, his party has interviewed 12 witnesses. Including the survivors was also investigated. “(A total of) 12 witnesses (were investigated). Including employees who survived,” he said. Police said the owner admitted the building did not have an emergency staircase. Meanwhile, the permit was issued in 2014. “Yes, that’s true, that’s the situation (there are no emergency stairs). But the permit is a building construction permit with a certificate of functional feasibility, it was issued in 2014, 2015,” Roby continued. The building owner also admitted that there was no further maintenance on the building because it was rented by PT Terra Drone Indonesia. He said building owners leave maintenance to tenants. “So, if it’s rented, there’s no maintenance from the building owner. The tenant takes care of that,” he said. Examining expert witnesses The police will also examine expert witnesses. He said investigators are still looking into whether there was any alleged negligence on the part of the building owner. “The results of the inspection show that he (the building owner) answered questions, but we still haven’t found the element of negligence, we are still looking for it,” he said. Also watch the video ‘Terra Drone employee allegedly tried to break glass but failed during fire’: (rdp/fas)