DENPASAR — As families displaced by a fire in Denpasar struggle to recover from the loss of their homes and belongings, support has continued to arrive from across the community, including from foreign tourists staying in Bali.
Several foreign tourists were seen visiting a temporary relief post near Jalan Nakula, Denpasar Barat, on Wednesday (Sept. 2), bringing food supplies for residents affected by the blaze.
They carried basic necessities including rice and eggs, which were handed over at the relief post for distribution to affected families.
Photos and video from the scene showed the foreign visitors carrying the supplies and handing them over at the relief post as donations continued to arrive from local residents and others.
The fire broke out on Monday evening, Aug. 31, in a densely populated area around Gang Jatayu, destroying a number of semi-permanent homes and leaving dozens of families temporarily displaced.
Denpasar Social Services officials said the number of affected families was still being finalised. The initial figure of 22 families later rose to 85 families after officials coordinated with the nearby Al-Ikhlas Mosque, where many of those affected are currently taking shelter.
Some families have also moved temporarily to relatives’ homes.
The response has continued even as firefighters remain at the scene several days after the blaze. On Friday (Sept. 4), the fourth day after the fire, Denpasar Fire and Rescue officials were still carrying out cooling operations after smoke continued to emerge from several points.
Fire officials said the operation has been complicated by burning embers deep inside piles of rubbish and scrap materials, some reaching around three metres high. An excavator was brought in to break apart the piles so firefighters could reach the embers underneath.
The large volume of combustible material has also resulted in high water requirements during the operation, with firefighters continuing to check the site to ensure remaining hotspots are fully extinguished.
Meanwhile, aid for the displaced families has continued to arrive. Authorities have been recording incoming donations to help ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.
For the foreign tourists who stopped by with food supplies, their contribution added another layer to the community response — a practical gesture of support for people facing a difficult period after the fire.
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