Chez Gado-Gado restaurant, located in Seminyak, Kuta, Badung, Bali, was severely damaged by fire on the night of Sunday, the 30th of August.
The blaze, which broke out at around 7.40 PM local time, resulted in losses estimated at Rp4 billion.
The Head of the Badung Regency Fire and Rescue Agency, Dewa Ngurah Bhayudewa, stated that the initial report of the fire came from a restaurant security guard. Personnel were deployed at approximately 7.42 PM local time and arrived at the scene at 7.50 PM local time. Ten fire engines were deployed to handle the blaze.
“The amount of water used [to put out the fire] was approximately 115,000 litres,” he told the press on Sunday.
In addition to firefighters, security efforts at the scene involved personnel from the State Electricity Company (Perusahaan Listrik Negara or PLN), the police, security staff, and local residents. There were no casualties in the incident.
“Estimated losses amount to approximately Rp4 billion. Property salvaged from the southern office section is valued at Rp700 million,” Bhayudewa added.
The fire is believed to have originated at the front of the restaurant’s north side. The flames quickly spread to the thatched roof, eventually consuming the majority of the building.
A local motorcycle taxi driver, identified by the initials KG, recalled that he was stationed on the west side of the site when the incident occurred. He saw flames erupting from the front corner of the restaurant’s north side. Security personnel attempted to extinguish the fire using portable fire extinguishers, but the blaze rapidly intensified after spreading to the thatched roof.
“The fire started at the front corner and spread to the thatched roof. Security tried to put it out, but because the roof was made of thatch, the flames grew rapidly,” KG said on Sunday evening as well.
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On the following Monday, 31 August, the Head of Public Relations for the Denpasar City Police, First Inspector (Iptu) I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, said police questioned four witnesses and secured the scene. He explained that, at the time, a guest was hosting a birthday celebration in the restaurant area featuring helium balloon decorations. The balloons had been brought and set up by the guest in question.
“A short while later, a popping sound was heard coming from the direction of the dining table. Upon hearing the noise, a witness named MAWK—who works as a security guard—immediately went to the location to investigate,” Jaya explained to the press.
Unfortunately, when the security staff checked, the fire was already burning and had reached the decorations and the pergola ceiling made of thatch.