Australian Teen Injured in Fire at Bali Restaurant

An Australian teenager was injured in a fire that broke out during a party at a restaurant in Bali’s Seminyak tourist area, according to local reports.

The fire occurred Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Chez Gado-Gado restaurant. The teenager was taken to hospital for treatment for burns, according to 7News.

Witnesses said the fire began during a 70th birthday celebration after a balloon reportedly came into contact with the flame of a birthday-cake candle. The balloon then burst, and the fire spread to the restaurant’s thatched roof.

Sydney resident Tara Borelli, who witnessed the incident, told Australian media that the balloon exploded when a waitress was lighting the birthday cake. Borelli said she then took her daughter and a young relative toward the beach as the fire spread.

Another witness, Paul Cole, told 9News that people at the restaurant moved away from the area after the fire began.

First Inspector I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya of the Denpasar Police said, based on witness statements, authorities strongly suspect that the fire started after a balloon was struck by a candle flame, causing it to burst and ignite.

The Badung Fire and Rescue Service took more than two hours to extinguish the fire. Local reports said there were no fatalities.

Restaurant staff initially attempted to control the fire using fire extinguishers, but the flames had already spread rapidly to the thatched roof, according to police.

Chez Gado-Gado has since announced on its website that the restaurant is temporarily closed.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the investigation into the cause of the fire.