Woman Dies in Maulafa House and Kiosk Fire in Kupang

Kupang — A house and kiosk fire in Maulafa, Kupang, killed 50-year-old Marlina on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. The fire broke out at about 08.17 WITA (UTC+8), and her child, Muhammad Nur Alif Hidayat, escaped the building.

The fire destroyed the home and kiosk on Jalan HTI, in front of the Maulafa district office. Fire officials said crews received the report at about 08.17 WITA and could carry out full suppression at about 08.35 WITA after the state electricity company, PLN, disconnected power at the scene.

Local officials and police said the fire was suspected to have started near a lit stove while Pertalite fuel was being transferred from a jerrycan into bottles for sale. Marlina was found inside the burned building after the fire was extinguished.

The Kupang fire underscores the danger of fuel handling near open flames

For foreign residents and visitors in eastern Indonesia, the incident illustrates the practical risk of fuel being stored or transferred in or near occupied buildings. Pertalite is a widely used Indonesian gasoline grade, while WITA is the time zone used in Bali, the Lesser Sunda Islands and parts of Sulawesi and Kalimantan.

The victim was identified as Marlina, also described as Hj. Marlina, and she owned the home and kiosk. Her child ran outside and tried to return to the building, but a witness stopped him because the flames had intensified. The fire department later transported Marlina’s body to RSB Titus Uly Kupang for identification and examination.

Police and local authorities attributed the suspected ignition to a stove and spilled or leaking fuel.

Sources

• Detikcom — established national news report
• Tribunnews Kupang — regional news report
• suara.com