Bali may be one of the safest vacation destinations in the world, but it is fair to say that the island is not free from problems.
The fire that broke out at Club Med Hotel last weekend has both tourists and local communities questioning whether more needs to be done to improve fire safety across the province.
In the early hours of Friday, 24th April, a fire broke out at the restaurant at Club Med Bali in Nusa Dua. 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 are expected to exceed IDR 5 billion.
The response to the blaze was immediate. Club Med Bali staff who discovered the blaze alerted security, and fire safety protocols were followed. The first firefighters on scene were from the ITDC Nusa Dua internal firefighting team, followed by the Badung Fire Department (Damkar).
The incident is not the first of its kind in the last few months. Only in August 2025 was there a major fire at the Ulaman Eco Luxury Resort, located just north of Canggu.
The fire broke out at the construction site of the hotel’s expansion project. While no one was injured, the majority of the expansion project site was destroyed.
✅ VOTE RECORDED
In August 2025, another fire broke out at the demolition site at Bingin Beach in Uluwatu. The fire, thought to be caused either by a spark from demolition work or a cigarette, quickly ripped through the site where more than 30 buildings were being dismantled due to spatial planning violations, according to the Bali Provincial Government.
With the dry season approaching, fire safety is a huge concern in Bali. Fires, whether wildfires across the landscape, increased trash burning, or accidental fires in residential and commercial areas, pose a huge threat to public safety.
Speaking to reporters in the wake of the incident in Nusa Dua, the Head of the Denpasar City Fire and Rescue Service, I Made Tirana, revealed that the main causes of fires in Bali are still electrical short circuits and public negligence, particularly when using gas stoves.
She explained, “Most incidents are triggered by electrical short circuits and negligence while cooking, such as forgetting to turn off the stove.”
According to data from the Denpasar City Fire and Rescue Service, 87 fire incidents were recorded from 1st January to 27th April 2026.
This is higher than usual, and only accounts for Denpasar City itself; regions like Badung Regency, home to the majority of the biggest tourism resorts, have not contributed data to that figure.
The Denpasar City Fire and Rescue Department is operated by 154 personnel, and the available fleet of fire response vehicles consists of 8 new fire engines, 8 old ones, and 4 rescue vehicles.
Tirana urged the public to be more vigilant, especially when using electrical installations and household appliances that have the potential to trigger fires. “We hope the public will be more careful, because most incidents are actually preventable.”
Tourists traveling to Bali need not make any changes to their plans, but it is something to be aware of. For those concerned, it is advisable to check in with accommodation hosts and providers about fire safety protocols and emergency evacuation routes.
With Bali located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, both earthquakes and tsunamis are ever-present risks, and all accommodation hosts should communicate evacuation protocols to guests upon arrival.
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