Mysterious Fires Erupt in West Java, Hooded Man Suspected

A series of attempted arson incidents involving a mysterious hooded man have occurred in Cimahi and Bandung, West Java, over the weekend, sparking concern among residents. Police have launched an investigation into the incidents. In Cimahi, a clip of the attempted arson has gone viral on social media, becoming a topic of discussion among netizens. According to footage from a surveillance camera, a man wearing a hooded sweater and carrying a backpack approached a row of street vendor carts covered with blue tarps and set fire to the tarps. The fire grew, but did not completely consume the carts belonging to vendors selling meatballs, dim sum, and fried chicken. Iptu Gofur Supangkat, Head of Public Relations for the Cimahi Police, stated that they have received information regarding the cart arson and are following up by inspecting the scene and conducting an investigation. Sriyono (45), the owner of a meatball cart, reported that his business equipment did not suffer severe damage because the fire was discovered by passersby. "My cart didn't burn, only the tarp. For the dim sum and fried chicken vendors, parts of their carts were burned. The tarps are scorched and have been discarded," Sriyono said on Monday. He only learned of the incident the following morning when he arrived to start his business and found other vendors discussing the unexplained arson. "I hope the perpetrator is caught soon," he added. Agung Kurniawan, the owner of the dim sum and fried chicken carts, shared a similar account, expressing his ignorance about who would target his livelihood. "Fortunately, it was discovered in time, otherwise, it might have burned down completely. The front of the cart and the tarp cover were burned," he said. In Bandung, the neighboring city to Cimahi, an attempted arson by a mysterious hooded man also occurred over the weekend. It is not yet confirmed whether the perpetrator is the same individual or part of a group involved in the Cimahi incidents. In Bandung, the target was the Red and White flag displayed at a house in the Maleber area. This incident, which occurred early Sunday morning, was also captured on surveillance cameras and has gone viral. Police have launched an investigation. Kapolsek Andir Kompol Triyono Raharja stated that they are still investigating, collecting evidence, and interviewing witnesses, promising updates on developments. The circulating video shows a man in a black hoodie and backpack walking down an alley and setting fire to the flag in front of a resident's house. The house is located in an alley not far from the main Bandung-Cimahi road. After igniting the flag with a lighter, the perpetrator immediately left the scene. However, the fire did not spread significantly as it was quickly extinguished by residents passing by. Mia (61), the homeowner, expressed gratitude to the passing residents who managed to put out the fire. "Yes, it happened early Sunday morning," she said. She added that no one knows the identity of the man who set fire to the flag. "Yes. No one knows; it was put out quickly. I saw it on the CCTV from the neighborhood head." Mia never imagined the fire could have spread to her house. "If no one had been there, it would have spread to the house." She confirmed that police from the Andir Police Station had visited her home to conduct an examination. "Yes, the police have come," she stated.