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Videos emerged on Monday of structures engulfed in flames at the renowned surf spot Bingin Beach in Bali, Indonesia. The blaze comes amid the demolition of 45 businesses on the cliffside that the government deemed violated spatial planning and environmental laws, and encroached on state land.
Local surfer Piter Panjaitan said residents suspect the fire began when people using power tools to scavenge metal from the demolished villas sparked the blaze. He reported that the fire burned through Monday night, but by Tuesday morning, rain had put it out.
“Wow, Bingin on fire today… who could’ve possibly seen that coming?” Panjaitan said on Instagram. “Maybe if the government actually planned, mapped, and handled demolitions like professionals, we wouldn’t be watching disasters on Instagram. We’re better than this – at least, we should be. Time to stop pretending and start taking real responsibility.”
The local community pushed back against the Bingin demolition with a petition that gathered over 20,000 signatures. It argued that business owners were willing to legitimize their operations and pay taxes, but authorities pressed ahead regardless. Meanwhile, property developers have already begun advertising investment opportunities at the site.
Demolition crews moved in to destroy the buildings above Bingin Beach in July, including villas, homestays, and restaurants. Some of the buildings had been constructed more than 30 years ago.
The Bingin controversy comes less than a year after authorities dramatically reshaped the cliffs at Uluwatu to build a breakwater protecting the eroding bluffs beneath one of the island’s oldest temples.
