Jakarta, ThedailyID — An Australian family’s plan to celebrate a mother’s 70th birthday in Bali turned into an unexpected ordeal after a balloon exploded and allegedly sparked a restaurant fire.
The incident occurred at Chez Gado Gado restaurant in Bali on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The family has since remained in Indonesia while authorities investigate the incident.
One family member, Caitlin Speedy, said authorities confiscated her passport and those of her relatives as part of the investigation.
The family had visited the restaurant to celebrate her mother’s birthday. Speedy had purchased several balloons to decorate their table.
However, one of the balloons suddenly exploded. The fire then spread rapidly through the restaurant.
Speedy said she initially believed the balloons contained helium. Authorities, however, reportedly suspect that the balloons were filled with hydrogen, which is cheaper than helium but highly flammable.
“I don’t know how the balloon could have exploded. Suddenly, everything was on fire,” Speedy said, as quoted by PerthNow, Thursday, September 17.
She also questioned the balloon seller’s responsibility. According to Speedy, the seller said the balloons would only be filled with helium if customers specifically requested it.
“I feel horrified. It feels like they sold me a ticking time bomb,” she said.
As the fire spread, people inside Chez Gado Gado rushed outside. Speedy said she briefly returned to the burning building after realizing that her family members were still inside.
“I saw my family and said, ‘I have to go back.’ Then I ran straight inside. I just didn’t want anyone to die,” she said.
Speedy’s child was also reportedly injured in the incident. The family’s planned birthday celebration was subsequently replaced by questioning from authorities.
Speedy said police confiscated the family’s passports, preventing them from leaving Indonesia while the investigation continues. She said the family was treated as witnesses but felt they were being treated differently.
“We were only called as witnesses, but we are still being treated differently. I don’t feel we should be detained here,” Speedy said.
She also questioned why the family must remain in Bali during the investigation. According to her, around 300 people were inside the building when the fire occurred, meaning other people could also provide information to investigators.
Authorities have yet to conclude the investigation into the cause of the fire and the type of gas used in the balloons.
