Jakarta, ThedailyID — Firefighters evacuated 18 baby cobras from beneath the wooden floor of a house in Demak, Central Java, after pouring gasoline into a suspected snake nest.
The incident occurred in Karangturi Hamlet, Bogosari Village, Guntur District, on Saturday, July 11.
The discovery began when the homeowner spotted a snake inside the house and immediately contacted the local fire department for help.
When firefighters arrived, they found a small hole beneath the wooden floor that they believed served as a snake nest. They then poured gasoline into the opening, prompting the baby cobras to emerge.
“The house stands on a wooden floor with a small opening underneath. After inspecting it, we were sure it was a snake nest,” said Endra Toga Perdana, Head of Civil Protection at the Demak Fire Department.
“Our team poured gasoline into the hole, and the small snakes came out one by one. We counted 18 baby cobras,” he added.
The evacuation took about two hours. However, firefighters did not find the adult cobra believed to have laid the eggs.
“We haven’t found the mother yet. Reaching the nest would require dismantling part of the floor, so we poured gasoline into the hole first,” Toga said.
Meanwhile, authorities plan to return if the homeowner reports seeing the adult snake. The rescued baby cobras remain at the Karangawen Fire Department post.
During the operation, one firefighter suffered a bite from a baby cobra. Fortunately, Toga said the venom did not enter the wound, and the injury was not serious.
