Fire Erupts at Bali Restaurant After Candle Pops Balloon
A fire sparked by a candle coming into contact with a balloon during a celebration at a restaurant on Indonesia's Bali island caused heavy damage and sent an Australian teenager to the hospital.
During a 70th birthday celebration at a restaurant in Seminyak, a popular resort area in Bali, Indonesia, a large fire broke out after a candle flame came into contact with a balloon, sending an Australian teenager to the hospital.
Unexpected Explosion During Celebration
Moments of panic unfolded during a family celebration at the Chez Gado-Gado restaurant located in the Seminyak area of Indonesia's Bali island. The explosion, caused by a candle on the table getting too close to a balloon, quickly spiraled out of control and caused massive flames to rise.
Thatch Roof Caught Fire in Minutes
According to eyewitness accounts, the restaurant's thatched roof ignited instantly following the explosion. The flames, the heat of which could be felt from meters away, engulfed the entire structure within minutes as participants inside fled quickly toward the beach and the sea.
Intervention by Firefighter Teams
Teams from the Badung Fire and Rescue Service battled for more than two hours to bring the rapidly spreading flames under control. Initial interventions by staff using fire extinguishers proved insufficient as the flames jumped to the roof.
Police and Official Statements
First Inspector I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya from the Denpasar Police Headquarters stated, based on witness testimony at the scene, that it is highly probable the fire started when a balloon popped upon coming into contact with a candle flame.
Current Status of the Restaurant
As a result of the large-scale fire, the Chez Gado-Gado restaurant was rendered unusable, and the establishment announced via its official website that it is temporarily closed, noting that no fatalities occurred in the incident.