Fire destroys Bali venue Chez Gado Gado; Australian teen injured
A fire destroyed the popular beachfront restaurant Chez Gado Gado in Seminyak, Bali, on Sunday night, leaving an Australian teenager in hospital with burns. The blaze, which authorities say was sparked by party balloons containing flammable gases, tore through the venue's thatched roof in about 20 seconds, according to witnesses.
The Australian teenager, from Western Australia's South West, is receiving care for burns to his face and arms. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesman confirmed the Australian Government was aware of the hospitalisation. "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports that an Australian has been hospitalised in Bali," the spokesman said. "We stand ready to offer consular assistance to any Australian in need."
Witnesses described the chaotic scene as the fire took hold. Perth man Chadd McElroy recounted helping a person in a wheelchair escape, saying: "I said (to one person) 'mate, you're going to have to move because there could be some fires' ... So I picked him up and dragged him down the beach." Heath Nelson, another witness, said there were about a thousand people on the beach as the fire spread. "People were just panicking, running around, yelling names," he said.
Tash Welburn, who was at the venue, said: "We saw the balloons explode and people panicked, thinking it was a bomb."
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed the Australian Government was aware an Australian had been hospitalised following the fire and said consular assistance would be offered if needed.
The cause of the fire has not been officially confirmed by authorities, but witnesses reported seeing balloons explode during a birthday party. Hydrogen is commonly used to fill balloons in Bali as a cheaper alternative to helium, and the gas is highly flammable.
In the wake of the incident, the nearby Mataraz Villas announced that balloons are no longer permitted anywhere on its property. The venue said in a statement: "As we cannot verify which gas has been used, all gas-filled balloons and balloon decorations are prohibited from being brought into the villas." The statement added: "For the safety of our guests, staff and neighbouring properties, balloons are no longer permitted anywhere within Mataraz Villas."
The decision has drawn support online, with some commentators welcoming the move and noting it could also reduce plastic waste.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene on Sunday night. Chadd McElroy, a Perth man at the venue, said he helped a man in a wheelchair escape after warning him about the fire. "I said to him 'mate, you're going to have to move because there could be some explosions'," McElroy recounted. He said he helped the man move about 20 to 30 metres down the beach.
Another witness, Tash Welburn, said she saw the balloons explode and described the panic that followed. "People thought maybe a bomb had gone off," she said.
Heath Nelson said the beach was crowded at the time. "There were about a thousand people on the beach," he said. "People were just in shock, they didn't know what to do."
Dozens of firefighters responded, but the venue could not be saved.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is aware that an Australian has been hospitalised in Bali and said it stands ready to provide consular assistance if requested.