A fire broke out at the former Blue Ocean Hotel on Bingin Beach, Pecatu Village, South Kuta, Badung, Bali, on Monday, August 18, 2025. The incident led to the temporary suspension of ongoing demolition work on illegal structures in the area.
According to South Kuta Police Chief Commissioner I Komang Agus Dharmayana, the fire was first reported at approximately 11.00 local time. Within two hours, the flames had grown significantly, spreading to several other unauthorized structures near the cliffside.
“Then the fire spread to buildings around the location. At 13.00 WITA, the fire grew again and burned the remaining debris of the demolition,” said Dharmayana when contacted by detikBali, Monday.
Fire First Detected by Site Workers
Dharmayana stated that the blaze was initially noticed by a supervisor overseeing land-clearing work at the location. The witness reportedly saw smoke rising from a pile of straw at the base of the cliff before the flames spread to nearby makeshift buildings.
Several workers attempted to contain the fire using water from gallon containers, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Local residents later alerted the fire department as the situation escalated.
“Strong gusts of wind make the fire grow more easily,” added Dharmayana.
Difficult Access Slows Firefighting Efforts
Firefighting crews from Badung were dispatched shortly after the report. However, the operation was hindered by the challenging terrain and limited access to the site. To overcome these obstacles, the fire service deployed smaller units and portable equipment that could be transported more easily to the affected area.
As of Monday afternoon, hotspots were still visible in certain sections of the former hotel site, and efforts to fully extinguish the fire were ongoing.
“There were no casualties in this incident,” said Dharmayana.
Investigation and Damage Assessment Underway
Police confirmed that an assessment of the damage is still being carried out. Investigators are also working to establish the precise cause of the fire.
Authorities have temporarily halted demolition activities at Bingin Beach until the fire is brought fully under control and conditions are deemed safe.
Demolition of Illegal Structures
The incident occurred during an active government operation led by the Badung Regency administration to remove unlicensed buildings along Bingin Beach. A total of 48 business establishments are being dismantled for violating regulatory provisions.
The demolitions are being conducted in accordance with Law Number 27 of 2007 on the Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands. The regulation prohibits construction and commercial activities in certain designated coastal zones without proper authorization.
Current Status
As of late Monday, officials reported that several fire points remained at the site of the former Blue Ocean Hotel. Demolition work will remain suspended until firefighting operations are complete and safety is assured. Police investigations into the cause of the blaze and the extent of material losses are ongoing.
