Balloon ignites, flames engulf Bali beach restaurant during birthday celebration

A celebration at the popular Chez Gado-Gado restaurant in Bali's Seminyak resort area erupted into a fire after a candle used for a birthday cake ignited a nearby balloon, according to eyewitnesses. The balloon exploded, and the thatched roof caught fire within minutes, prompting patrons to flee toward the shoreline. Badung Fire and Rescue Service reported that extinguishing the blaze required more than two hours, and no fatalities occurred, though an Australian teenager sustained burn injuries and was taken to hospital.

First Inspector I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya of the Denpasar Police said early attempts to douse the flames with extinguishers failed because the fire had already grown large. The incident left guests shouting and crying, with several describing the scene as chaotic. The restaurant's website now states it is temporarily closed while investigations continue.