A massive fire ripped through a densely populated residential area in central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday night, injuring three people and displacing hundreds of families.

The Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency said the blaze broke out at about 8.55pm local time in the Kebon Kosong neighbourhood of Kemayoran, a district in the Indonesian capital.

The fire rapidly spread through the tightly packed settlement, engulfing hundreds of homes.

Indonesian national police said the fire destroyed around 250 semi-permanent homes and displaced 300 families.

It said the blaze began in two houses before rapidly spreading through a large area.

Central Jakarta Metropolitan Sub-regional Police deployed 200 officers to assist evacuations and secure the area, while more than 25 fire trucks battled the flames.

The blaze raged for more than two hours before firefighters brought it under control at around 11.30pm. Search and rescue operations continued through the night and were completed at about 4am on Tuesday, authorities said.

Aerial footage showed flames sweeping across a large section of the neighbourhood, with thick plumes of smoke rising above the city.

Images taken on Tuesday morning revealed rows of charred homes and shops, while residents sifted through the debris in search of belongings that had survived the fire.

The Jakarta Fire and Rescue Department said the blaze is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit in one of the houses.

Officials said the fire spread too quickly and became too large to be contained by portable fire extinguishers.

“Personnel worked with firefighters to ensure residents’ safety and protect belongings,” said central Jakarta police chief senior superintendent Reynold E P Hutagalung in his statement.

Police said they have set up emergency tents and a field kitchen to aid displaced residents. They said those injured were taken to a hospital for treatment.