The largest and oldest traditional market in Bali, Pasar Badung on Jl. Gajah Mada, was heartbreakingly swallowed up by flames on Monday evening.
Firefighters, as well as local residents at the scene struggled to extinguish the roaring fire that reportedly broke out around 6 pm. They started with the fourth floor, trying to put out the fire, as panicked shopkeepers from lower levels tried to rush and carry out their merchandise from their stalls, Tribun Bali reported.
A number of shopkeepers were spotted lying limp on the side of the road, sleeping on merchandise that they were able to save, the newspaper observed.
Even though it’s blurry, you can very much feel the atmosphere of panic and grief in this video posted to Instagram
The fire is believed to have been caused by incense or an electrical short circuit, Tribun Bali reported.
Head of Security Supervision for PD Pasar Kota Denpasar Anak Agung Ngurah Yuliarta said the fire started in stalls selling basic food and snacks and then quickly spread.
There are 1,683 stalls in Pasar Badung, according to Tribun Bali. Today a meeting will be held to discuss the next course of action and a relocation plan for a number of traders.
These relocation spots reportedly include the parking area of Pasar Badung, the former Tiara Grosir, the former Pasar Impress Gunung Agung (the former flea market), and then most likely at Lapangan Kompyang Sujana.
Head of the Denpasar Regional Disaster Management Agency I Dewa Gede Indra said that around 130 personnel were deployed, along with 24 fire trucks to handle the fire, with help also getting sent in from Gianyar and Tabanan. Indra says people with pasar stalls need to always to careful, especially when using incense, since markets are fire-prone in Bali.
Reader Interactions