Massive fire sparked by a balloon destroys popular Bali restaurant as tourists run for their lives
A fire tore through the popular beachside restaurant Chez Gado Gado in Seminyak, Bali, on Sunday night after a waitress lighting a birthday candle accidentally ignited a nearby helium balloon. The venue was packed with diners, including several birthday parties, when the balloon exploded and set the thatched roof ablaze, forcing tourists and locals to flee onto the beach as flames rapidly engulfed the building. No serious injuries were reported, though the incident caused widespread panic among guests.
Witness Tara Borelli, who was celebrating her cousin's 51st birthday, said a nearby table had two helium balloons shaped like "7" and "0" for a 70th birthday party, and the candle flame set one off, causing a fireball that ignited the thatch roof within moments. She fled to the water with her seven-year-old daughter and 12-year-old cousin, while others, including a woman helping a man in a wheelchair, escaped through different exits. Fire crews later brought the blaze under control, but the restaurant, which had operated in central Seminyak for more than three decades, was destroyed.
- Balloon explosion from a birthday candle sparked a fire at Bali restaurant
- Chez Gado Gado in Seminyak was destroyed; no serious injuries reported
- Thatched roof fuelled rapid spread as diners fled to the beach
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Seminyak is a busy beach area in Bali, Indonesia, known for its restaurants and hotels. Thatched roofs, made from dried plant material, are common in tropical settings and can catch fire quickly.
Chez Gado Gado had been a long-running restaurant by the beach, serving visitors and local people for more than 30 years. The fire happened while the venue was crowded with diners, including people celebrating birthdays, so guests had to get out quickly.
The incident highlights how a small flame can become a serious danger in a crowded venue with a flammable roof. It also means the loss of a familiar local business that had been part of Seminyak for decades.