The community of Ubud has been left shocked and devastated by a fire that broke out in the world-famous Ubud Art Market on Saturday, 17th August.
An investigation is underway, but it has been confirmed that over 1,000 traders have been impacted by the blaze, with around 400 businesses operating in the basement and ground floor of the building destroyed.
There have been no reported injuries or deaths in connection with the fire, but hundreds of local traders have had their livelihoods destroyed by a blaze that broke out around 1 pm on Saturday, 17th August.
The new Ubud Art Market was only formally opened to the public in April 2023. The new development was funded by the government after a major fire destroyed the original Ubud Art Market.
Saturday’s fire was ablaze for over ten hours, and firefighting crews from across the island rushed to the heart of Ubud to assist Gianyar Regency firefighting teams in combating the flames.
In the aftermath of the desvastation, Ubud Art Market Security Officer Putu Yoga explained to reporters the initial effort to control the flames.
Yoga explained, “We tried to extinguish the fire, but when the fire extinguisher was finished, the fire was still burning. Then we used a hydrant hose, so we wouldn’t go dark because of the smoke.”
The initial cause of the fire has not been made public, but the government and police have promised that an investigation will take place and that traders will be given a new, temporary space from which to operate their businesses as plans come together to either rebuild or redevelop the iconic market and trading halls.
Yoga confirmed that a huge number of motorcycles parked at the Ubud Art Market were also burnt in the fire.
He said, “We don’t know the exact number; what is clear is that at the time of the incident, we were also trying to remove several motorbikes. Only a few could be removed.”
As the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, community members, traders, and tourists who witnessed the blaze have been asking how and why the fire spread so quickly and so powerfully.
Local leaders have responded to concerns that the fire safety system within the Ubud Art Market building failed.
The Regional Secretary of Gianyar Regency, Dewa Gede Alit Mudiarta, told reporters, “Earlier, we had a meeting with the PUPR Department, Disperindag, Dishub, and Satpol PP. Regarding the rumors circulating, they said the hydrant didn’t turn on, the springer didn’t turn on, that’s not true.”
“Earlier, from the testimony of the security team, the head of the market, the first thing that happened was that the alarm had sounded. It’s in accordance with the procedure; the sprinkler was also on; we can also see from the video that the hydrant is active and functioning.”
However, part of the investigation will look into whether the power cut at the time of the fire had a part to play in the fire. Reports from the scene suggest that there could have been a technical error in the fire safety system when the power was cut, causing the hydrant to get partially jammed.
Mudiarta told reporters, “It’s just that when PLN cut off the electricity, there might have been a technical error. The generator also didn’t turn on, so the hydrant had a pump that was pulling the hydrant, and it went out.”
Mudiarta added, “We are also waiting from the police for the results of the crime scene investigation…Earlier, friends from the head of the market and security stated that everything was actively functioning. Only the PLN electricity was cut off, the hydrant machine couldn’t function.
As a representative of the Ginayar Regency government, Mudiarta called on traders, Ubud residents, and tourists to be patient as the investigation is underway and solutions are put in place.
He explained, “Right now, the team is still working. Traders, please be patient; we will definitely prepare a place to sell.”
He added that calculating the scale of the losses could take some time. Mudiarta concluded, “Not all the motorbikes have been recorded yet; we are waiting for the police. Please be patient, this is a disaster. Whatever [standard operating procedures] we have to do, we will definitely do it. Meanwhile, give the police a chance to investigate the fire.”
Tourists in the central Ubud area are reminded to be considerate of ongoing investigation work in the Ubud Art Market area, which sits opposite Ubud Palace.
Diversions of both traffic and pedestrian access in central Ubud may be implemented in the upcoming days. Police and local security teams will be on hand to direct tourists on alternative routes should diversions and further closures be in place.
