BALI, World.WartaGlobal.id - For the first time, the family of Caitlin Pauline Speedy, an Australian citizen who was present at Gado Gado Restaurant when the fire occurred, has issued an official clarification regarding information circulating on social media and in several reports that they believe has created a perception that the family was responsible for the incident.

Through their legal representatives, Law Office Elisabeth Sanam & Partners, the family stressed that the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by law enforcement authorities. Therefore, they said, no party should conclude or accuse anyone of being responsible for the fire before the official investigation has been completed and its findings released.

“Good evening, we are from lawyer Elizabeth, Law Office Elisabeth Sanam and Partner. We are here to clarify what we are hearing on social media about my client.”

The family’s legal counsel said one of their main concerns was the narrative circulating on social media portraying Caitlin Pauline Speedy’s family as criminal perpetrators.

“I want to clarify about social media saying my client is a criminal. Sorry to say about that, they are not a criminal.”

According to the family, they went to Gado Gado Restaurant on the night of the incident not as event organizers, business operators, or parties exercising control over the restaurant’s operations. They were there simply as guests celebrating a family birthday.

Before the celebration began, the family said they had informed the restaurant that they would be bringing balloon decorations for the birthday. The balloons were ordered through Instagram and subsequently delivered directly to the restaurant by the seller.

According to the family’s account, the balloons were received by restaurant staff and placed within the restaurant area. Caitlin Pauline Speedy allegedly asked staff on several occasions to move the balloons because they were positioned in an area used by guests passing through. According to her account, restaurant staff responded that the position was not a problem, and the balloons remained there.

Moments later, while the birthday song was being played, one of the balloons allegedly suddenly burst, followed by sparks and flames. Within seconds, the situation turned into panic.

The family said an aspect that has received limited public attention is that they were also directly affected by the incident. Caitlin’s child allegedly suffered burn injuries from sparks generated during the incident.

Amid the chaos, the family said they attempted to evacuate and warned people nearby to move away from the source of the fire.

For that reason, the family considers it unfair to immediately portray them as the party responsible for the incident when, according to their account, they themselves suffered harm and loss as a result of the fire.

CLARIFICATION REGARDING PASSPORTS AND DEPARTURE FOR AUSTRALIA

The family also addressed reports alleging that they had been prevented from travelling or detained by Indonesian authorities following the incident.

Their legal counsel said those reports were inaccurate.

“About the passport, my client, Devin B. William and Janet B. William and Benjamin Speedy, they are not stopped from the airport. They just need clarification at the police station for security.”

According to the legal counsel, Caitlin Pauline Speedy’s family has cooperated with authorities from the outset and complied with requests from police for clarification.

The family said there had been no attempt to flee, avoid questioning, or refuse to cooperate with the ongoing legal process.

The lawyer also clarified that the passport issue discussed widely on social media had not prevented the family from returning to Australia.

“So about the passport, everything is alright, so they will go home back to Perth, Australia tomorrow.”

The family said they have completed the procedures requested by authorities and continue to respect the laws and legal processes of Indonesia.

DO NOT JUDGE BEFORE THE FACTS ARE ESTABLISHED

Caitlin Pauline Speedy’s family emphasized that they do not intend to accuse any individual or party of causing the fire. They likewise do not want to create a public narrative blaming the restaurant, the balloon supplier, or any other party before the official investigation has established the facts.

At the same time, the family is asking the public to extend the same fairness to them.

The cause of the fire, they said, should be determined through a proper investigation, including technical examination, witness statements, evidence, and lawful procedures—not through assumptions, social-media speculation, or public judgment.

The family of Caitlin Pauline Speedy said they respect the ongoing legal process and will continue cooperating with law enforcement authorities should further clarification be required.

At the same time, they ask that their rights as individuals who have not been found guilty by a court, and their account of being directly affected by the incident, be respected.

“We are not criminals. We came as a family to celebrate a birthday. Our child was injured in the incident. We respect the legal process and ask the public to wait for the facts to be fully established.”

Bali, September 2026

The Family of Caitlin Pauline Speedy
Through Legal Counsel
Law Office Elisabeth Sanam & Partners