A fire, allegedly caused by fireworks, erupted late Wednesday night at the Uluwatu Surf Villas in Bali, burning down two structures. The suspects are five California tourists that fled the scene in the chaos of the fire. Photo: Facebook/ Lightning Venus
A fire that started late Wednesday night burned down two complexes at the Uluwatu Surf Villas in Bali. No one was injured in the blaze.
“A very sad night in Uluwatu,” wrote Bali Surf Connection in a Facebook post. “Uluwatu Surf Villas on fire a few hours ago. Hope no one is harmed!! God bless everyone!!”
The thatch-roofed villas sit atop the cliff overlooking the famous left-hand pointbreak. Allegedly, the fire started when five hotel guests, who were reportedly visiting from California, lit fireworks “into the roof.” We contacted Uluwatu Surf Villas about the matter, and they were unable to confirm or deny this theory as a police investigation is ongoing.
“Can anyone help us locate these 5 people from California,” said Facebook user Lightning Venus in a post. “They are wanted for questioning in relation to the fire at Uluwatu Surf Villas which burnt two villas to the ground yesterday after they lit fireworks into the roof and ran away during the chaos of the fire.”
The scene once the blaze subsided. Photo: Facebook/ Lightning Venus
In a post to a Bali expat community Facebook group, Uluwatu resident Dennis Chekaldin shared an image of the fire burning early Thursday morning. He followed up by sharing an image of the villas later that day along with the commentary, “Police line, do not cross. Investigation supposedly ongoing. Somebody is going to be held responsible for misuse of fireworks.”
Uluwatu Surf Villas told The Inertia via phone that while some fireworks are legal in Bali, it is absolutely prohibited to light them on the property.
Photo: Facebook/Dennis Chekaldin
All of the villas were occupied when the fire erupted Wednesday night, but no one was harmed as guests were quickly evacuated. When asked if the occupants of the two villas that had burned down were questioned by police for purposes of the investigation, representatives from Uluwatu Surf Villas said they were waiting for information and hoped to learn more by Friday.
We will keep you updated as this story unfolds.
