Bali is in shock after a fire at the iconic Seminyak restaurant Chaz Gado Gado on Sunday evening.
The fire reportedly spread quickly in the winds at the beach resort on Sunday evening, leaving the community shocked by the scale of the incident.
Initial reports suggest that the fire broke out at Chez Gado Gado in Bali’s popular resort of Seminyak around 7.30 pm on Sunday 30th August.
An Australian tourist told reporters that a helium balloon burst moments before the restaurant caught fire. The exact cause of the fire will take time to confirm following an investigation by the Bali Fire Department, which attended the scene within minutes.
The tourist told reporters, “Sitting at Gado Gado waiting for our table when a helium balloon exploded and literally within seconds the whole place was on fire.” Adding, “We just ran. Managed to get out through a back door, and honestly, a few seconds longer and I don’t even want to think about what could have happened. Still shaking writing this. The restaurant was packed, and I’m just praying everyone managed to get out safely. Absolutely terrifying.”
A fellow tourist, Sarah Ardenne, shared footage online of the fire. In her statement, she shared, “Met an Australian man named Chris who was at a table next to the one where the fire started. A party balloon filled with a flammable gas caught alight and immediately caught the thatched roof on fire.”
Adding “Chris was dining in a party of 17 who were all able to escape by passing children and others over the balustrade of the balcony to people catching them down below. He speculates that not everyone would have been able to escape without having to pass through flames. It all happened so fast. Please send your prayers to those affected. As of 11:30 pm local time, no casualties have been reported.”
Statements will be issued by Bali Police in due course, and an investigation will take place. Footage from the scene published throughout Sunday evening shows that the whole of the Chez Gado Gado property has been destroyed, with only parts of the building frame still standing.
Chez Gado Gado is one of Seminyak’s most popular beachfront casual dining restaurants. The restaurant, which is a largely wooden building, overlooks Double Six Beach, and often hosts live music and local DJs.
The news of the fire at Chez Gado Gado comes just months after Bali’s fire safety record came under scrutiny. Back in April 2026, following a major fire at Club Med Hotel in Nusa Dua, both tourists and local communities questioned whether more needs to be done to improve fire safety across the province.
An initial investigation suggests that the fire broke out from a deep fryer.
While there were no casualties, the blaze caused severe damage to the two-story building, covering approximately 5,000 square meters.
In addition to the restaurant area on the second floor, other facilities on the first floor, such as the boutique, meeting rooms, and administrative offices, were also affected. Material losses were expected to exceed IDR 5 billion.
The incident was not the first of its kind in the last 12-months. Only in August 2025 was there a major fire at the Ulaman Eco Luxury Resort, located just north of Canggu.
In August last year, a major fire broke out at the demolition site at Bingin Beach in Uluwatu.
Tourists traveling to Bali must know that the emergency services can be contacted on 110. It is essential to have comprehensive travel insurance before traveling to Bali.
At this time of year, with it being the dry season, people in Bali are being urged to be extra mindful of fire risks, both in commercial, residential, and outdoor settings.
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