Massive fire and explosion shake Dumai refinery, but Pertamina guarantees fuel stability.

A powerful fire and explosion struck Pertamina’s Dumai Refinery Unit II in Riau on Wednesday night, sending shockwaves across nearby communities. Despite the chaos, Pertamina quickly assured that Indonesia’s fuel supply remains safe and stable.

Fire and Explosion in Dumai

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at approximately 20:30 WIB, a fire broke out at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) Refinery Unit II Dumai, Riau Province. The blaze was accompanied by a powerful explosion that startled residents in surrounding neighborhoods. Eyewitnesses reported a deafening blast followed by thick smoke, flames, and sounds resembling leaking gas and aircraft engines.

Immediate Response and Public Safety

Agustiawan, spokesperson for Pertamina Kilang Dumai, confirmed the incident and stated that emergency response teams acted swiftly to isolate the fire. “So far, there are no reports of casualties. We hope the situation will normalize soon,” he said on Thursday. Pertamina deployed fire brigades and coordinated with TNI and Polri to manage crowds and ensure access for fire trucks and ambulances.

Community Panic and Evacuation

The explosion caused panic among nearby residents, particularly in Kelurahan Tanjung Palas, where homes are located close to the refinery. Many families evacuated to safer areas, fearing further blasts. Thousands of residents gathered along Jalan Putri Tujuh, causing heavy traffic that required security officers to intervene. Some locals described the experience as traumatic, recalling the sheer intensity of the explosion and the urgency to protect their families.

Fuel Supply Remains Unaffected

Despite the dramatic event, Pertamina reassured the public that the national fuel supply remains secure. According to Agustiawan, stock levels for Pertalite, Solar, and Avtur are stable, with alternative supply routes activated for affected regions. “With support from other Pertamina refineries, fuel distribution in Sumatra Bagian Utara (Sumbagut) and beyond will continue without disruption,” he emphasized.

Strategic Role of Dumai Refinery

The Dumai refinery holds critical importance, supplying around 16% of Indonesia’s national energy needs, particularly across Northern Sumatra and parts of Kalimantan. Its temporary disruption highlights the strategic necessity of Pertamina’s integrated refinery network, which ensures energy resilience even during emergencies.

Coordinated Mitigation and Assurance

By 23:20 WIB, Pertamina’s emergency response team successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to other units. The company also secured the affected site to eliminate potential hazards. In its official statement, Pertamina expressed gratitude for public support and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding energy stability under any circumstances.

The Dumai refinery fire underscores the dual challenge of ensuring public safety and maintaining national energy security. While residents face trauma from the explosion, Pertamina’s rapid response highlights the resilience of Indonesia’s energy infrastructure. For both Indonesians and Singaporeans who rely on stable fuel supply chains, the incident demonstrates the critical role of coordinated crisis management in protecting regional energy security.

Sources: Bisnis.com (2025) , Inilah.com (2025)

Keywords: Pertamina, Dumai Refinery, Fuel Supply, Oil Fire, Explosion, Indonesia Energy