BADUNG, BALI — WordWartaGlobal.Id

The fire that destroyed Gado Gado Restaurant in the Kuta area of Badung, Bali, continues to raise questions about what initially triggered the blaze. Amid the police investigation, the family of an Australian citizen who was at the scene when the incident occurred issued a clarification and urged that the presence of a balloon not be immediately concluded to have caused the fire.

The clarification was delivered by Catrine’s family through their legal representatives, Elizabeth Sanam, S.H., M.H., I Nyoman Kantun Suyasa, S.H., M.H., and Ni Luh Manggreni, S.H., of the Law Office Elisabeth Sanam, S.H., M.H. & Rekan, on Tuesday (September 8, 2026).

Catrine’s family is known to have complied with a summons from investigators at the Kuta Sector Police in connection with Police Report Number: LP/Gangguan/29/VIII/2026/SPKT/Polsek Kuta/Polresta Denpasar/Polda Bali.

According to the family’s legal representatives, Catrine is an Australian citizen who came with her family to Gado Gado Restaurant to attend her mother’s birthday celebration. The family had previously reserved a table.

Before the event began, the family reportedly informed the restaurant that they would bring balloons as part of the birthday decorations.

According to the family, the balloons were ordered through the Instagram application. Communication with the seller was then continued via WhatsApp.

The following day, the balloons were delivered by the seller and received by Gado Gado Restaurant staff. They were then brought into the restaurant and placed around the table reserved by Catrine’s family.

However, the balloons were reportedly positioned in an area that obstructed people’s access.

The family said Catrine asked the restaurant staff to move the balloons because they were blocking the walkway. According to the family, the request was made three times.

However, the restaurant staff reportedly said that the position of the balloons was not a problem.

The family then remained seated at the reserved table, and the food began to be served.

Candles on the Tables and the Moment the Fire Started

The family’s account also highlighted the presence of lit candles on several restaurant tables.

After Catrine’s family sat down, the candle on their table was reportedly moved to the edge and placed farther away from the balloons.

The situation then changed when the event reached the moment of singing the birthday song.

According to the family, a balloon suddenly exploded and produced sparks.

The flames then struck Catrine’s child, causing burns to the child’s arm.

In the ensuing panic, Catrine reportedly tried to warn people nearby to move away from the source of the fire.

The flames then reportedly grew rapidly.

The family also stated that no fire extinguisher was available at the time of the incident for immediate use in controlling the blaze.

The thatched material used on the restaurant’s roof was said to have caused the fire to spread quickly, eventually burning Gado Gado Restaurant to the ground.

In the incident, Catrine’s family expressed concern that, in addition to the restaurant suffering losses, Catrine’s child also became a victim and sustained burn injuries.

Family Rejects Balloon Being Immediately Declared the Cause

The main issue now being highlighted by Catrine’s family is the perception that the presence of the balloon automatically made it the cause of the fire.

The family rejects that conclusion.

According to them, Catrine and her family came as guests to attend a birthday celebration. The presence of the balloons had also reportedly been communicated to the restaurant in advance.

The balloons were then delivered by the seller and received by restaurant staff before being placed inside the restaurant.

The family also emphasized that Catrine had asked for the balloons to be moved because they were considered to be obstructing the walkway.

On that basis, the family believes that the exact cause of the fire should not be determined solely from the presence of the balloons.

According to them, the cause of the fire must be established through a comprehensive investigation, including an examination of all conditions at the scene and the available evidence.

"The exact cause of the fire should not be concluded solely from the presence of the balloon, but must be proven through a comprehensive investigation and examination by the police," the family’s legal representatives said.

Cooperative with the Legal Process

Catrine’s family emphasized that they had complied with the police summons and provided information to investigators at the Kuta Sector Police.

They also stated that they would remain cooperative if their assistance was needed again during the investigation.

As Australian citizens, Catrine and her family said they respected the laws in force in Indonesia.

The determination of the cause of the fire and the party responsible, the family said, would be left entirely to law enforcement authorities based on facts and valid evidence.

The family also urged the public and the media not to draw conclusions or make accusations before the police investigation was completed.

The legal representatives emphasized that the family did not intend to accuse any party.

They only asked that all facts surrounding the incident be presented fairly so that no party would be prematurely placed as the cause or responsible party before the legal process reached a conclusion.

"This clarification is being issued as a form of respect for the legal process and to correct information circulating in the community," the legal representatives concluded.

afkan.