A false fire report that prompted an emergency response from Semarang’s fire department has led to police involvement after authorities determined it was a deliberate act by an online loan debt collector. The incident, which occurred on April 23, 2026, saw firefighters dispatched to a location on Jalan WR Supratman in Semarang Barat following a WhatsApp message to the emergency hotline 113 claiming a food stall was on fire.
Upon arrival, emergency personnel found no evidence of a blaze at the specified address, prompting an investigation into the origin of the report. Semarang Fire Department officials later confirmed the report was fabricated and traced it to an individual attempting to intimidate a local noodle vendor through false emergency alerts.
The head of operations and rescue for Semarang’s Fire Department, Tantri Pradono, stated that the false report was made under the name “Adi” and that two fire units with twelve personnel were deployed in response to the hoax. After verifying the absence of any fire, investigators concluded the report was made by a debt collector seeking to pressure the stall owner.
“Ternyata setelah anggota kami ke sana tidak ada kebakaran, ternyata dari DC pinjol. DC-nya (yang melapor) buat nakut-nakutin,” Tantri Pradono was quoted as saying in local media reports, indicating the debt collector’s intent was to frighten the noodle seller.
Further investigation revealed the false report was part of a pattern of misuse of emergency services, where debt collectors fabricate emergencies to pressure borrowers or associated individuals into repaying loans. The Semarang Fire Department subsequently filed a formal police report against the individual responsible for the false alarm.
Authorities emphasized that such actions not only waste critical emergency resources but also undermine public trust in emergency response systems. The incident has prompted renewed calls for stricter enforcement against the abuse of emergency hotlines, particularly when used for coercion or intimidation related to debt collection practices.
As of the latest updates, the case remains under police investigation, with officials working to identify and apprehend the individual behind the false report. No arrests have been publicly confirmed at this stage, and the fire department continues to monitor for similar incidents.
Residents are reminded to apply emergency services only for genuine crises and to report any suspicious or fraudulent use of emergency lines to the appropriate authorities. The Semarang Fire Department encourages the public to verify information before contacting emergency services to prevent unnecessary deployments.