Gas Explosion At Luxury Bali Resort Injures Staff And Destroys Restaurant

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A major gas explosion has destroyed the restaurant of a luxury villa resort in Bali. Lalasa Villas, on Jalan Pemelisan Agung, Tibubeneng Village in Canggu, experienced a gas explosion in the early hours of Thursday 30th June.  

Police have launched an investigation into the situation but have told local news reporters that they believe the gas leak is linked to the restaurant’s kitchen. Head of Public Relations of the Badung Police, Iptu I Ketut Sudana told reporters on Thursday afternoon that ‘”The temporary suspicion is that the gas pipe leaked to the stove in the restaurant’s kitchen’. 

Considerable damage has been done to the resort’s kitchen and restaurant, it is believed that the subsequent fire also caused damage to the hotel lobby. Ngakan Gede Angga Prawira, a staff member, told newspapers that he was alerted to the situation by the front-of-house leader Agus Mahardika. ‘He gave information that there had been a gas explosion that caused bursts of fire’.

When Prawira arrived on the scene he discovered that one of the security team has been seriously injured. He was rushed to Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar for treatment for burns. 

There have been no other reported injuries and it is considered fortunate that the explosion happened at 5.30 am when there was no one in the kitchen, else there may have been many more causalities. 

Lalasa Villas are said to have experienced over IDR 300 million (USD 20,000) in damages and the owner and management team are working on a plan to repair the damage as soon as possible. There has been no statement from Lalasa Villa in the press or on their social media. Although the damage to the restaurant is considerable, it seems that the resort’s accommodation remains unaffected.

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Lalasa Villas is a luxury boutique resort in Canggu. The resort is managed by Kanaya Hospitality ‘renowned for its exclusive and unique in different beautiful areas of Bali’. They are the team behind over a dozen luxury villas in Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, and Umalas. 

The villas are open plan and offer visitors comfort and luxury. The resort is surrounded by tropical gardens that meander between 24-self contained holiday villas. Lalasa Villas is currently offering special deals on 3-day, 2-night stays, family packages, and honeymoon packages.

Like so many of Bali’s luxury and boutique villas, Lalasa Villas were preparing for a busy peak season in July and August. It is hoped that damages from Thursday’s explosion will be able to be repaired as soon as possible as the company will need to recuperate losses due to the pandemic. 

Canggu is a small but rapidly developing village on the Bali coast, around 10km away from central Kuta. The area has become popular with travelers looking to enjoy luxury accommodation, trendy cafes, and surf culture.

Canggu is famously home to some of Bali’s biggest beach clubs which have also hit headlines this week. The Indonesian bar chain Holywings found themselves in the midst of a blasphemy scandal this week staff launched a drinks promotion that was considered deeply offensive. 

Twelve of the brand’s Jakarta-based venues have been closed down and their licenses revoked. Despite this plans for Holywing’s latest venture in Bali seem to be full steam ahead. Influencers, TV personalities, and other famous stakeholders in Holywings Bali have all taken to social media to promote what they say will be not only the biggest beach club in Bali but all of Asia. 

Holywings Bali is said to be 80% complete and still on track to open its doors in July 2022. Authorities in Indonesia are still investigating the drinks promotion and have arrested six Holywings staff on the grounds of religious blasphemy. Although the situation seems to be deescalating, authorities may find grounds to investigate the Bali-based operation ahead of the grand opening.