KUTA, Bali — A simple but catastrophic oversight—a stove left unattended—is believed to have sparked a major fire that completely destroyed three multi-story shophouses (ruko) in the heart of Kuta on Thursday morning, January 1, 2026. The incident resulted in an estimated material loss of Rp 550 million (approximately US$35,000).
The blaze, which erupted around 8:00 a.m. local time on Jalan Raya Kuta, rapidly engulfed the buildings, which housed a grocery store. Thick black smoke billowing from the roof was first noticed by a witness, I Kadek Dharma Jaya Putra, who immediately alerted the shop’s tenant. By that time, the fire had already intensified.
“Preliminary findings strongly indicate the cause was a cooking stove that was not turned off,” stated Kuta Police Chief, Kompol Agus Riwayanto Diputra. The fire consumed not only the structures but also all their contents. Lost in the inferno were refrigerators, freezers, a television, CCTV equipment, land certificates, and the entire inventory of staple goods.
Responding to the emergency, the Badung Regency Fire Department deployed four fire trucks to the scene. Firefighters battled the flames aggressively, eventually bringing the fire under full control and preventing it from spreading to adjacent densely packed buildings.
Chief Diputra confirmed that police have secured the scene with cordon tape and are guiding the property owners and tenants through the process of filing an official report for a complete investigation. “The estimated total loss, covering both structural damage and merchandise, is around Rp 550 million,” he added.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of everyday fire risks, particularly in Bali’s busy urban areas where commercial and residential spaces often intermingle. It highlights the critical importance of basic safety checks, especially regarding kitchen appliances, in both homes and businesses.
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