Raging inferno erupts at Bali beachside restaurant party

A birthday party at the Chez Gado-Gado restaurant in the Seminyak resort area of Bali, Indonesia, turned into chaos on Sunday, August 30, 2026, after a balloon reportedly exploded, sparking a massive fire. Witnesses stated that a waitress lighting a birthday candle accidentally brought the flame too close to balloons on a table, causing an explosion that immediately ignited the restaurant's thatched roof. According to witnesses, the entire structure was engulfed in flames within minutes, leading to widespread panic. While initial reports indicated an Australian teenager was hospitalized with burns, the Badung Fire and Rescue Service stated there were no fatalities. Denpasar Police noted that staff attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful due to the rapid spread of the flames. Firefighters took over two hours to bring the blaze under control. The restaurant has since announced it is temporarily closed.