Ubud Art Market will remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future as leaders in Gianyar Regency establish the next steps following a devastating fire that destroyed the new market building on Saturday, 17th August.
Some of the over 1,000 vendors have already set up stalls in new areas, while others are left in limbo, waiting to see how and where they can recover the substantial losses.
One of the traders affected by the Ubud Art Market fire was Wayan Witha, who told reporters that he was now unemployed and waiting on the government to provide the next steps.
He explained, “While unemployed, it is not clear when it will open, or the relocation will take place, or when it will be able to sell again, it is said that the police are still investigating.”
He added, “The condition of my goods is [said to be] safe because there are market security officers and Satpol PP and security officers on guard, but they can’t check, especially since my goods in the east block on the first floor are wet.”
@lea_horsholt This market in Ubud is one of Bali’s most popular shopping places for souvenirs, rattan bags, jewelry, sarongs, and much more! 🌴 📍 Ubud Art Market / Pasar Seni Ubud #bali #baliindonesia #explorebali #balirecommendation #baliguide #fyp #balifyp #shopping #market #ubudbali ♬ Hard Times – Paramore
The fire destroyed much of the basement and ground level, decimating the stalls and stock of over 400 vendors. Traders such as Witha, who had stalled on the first and second floors of the building, were fortunate not to have lost their stock to the blaze; though they can’t access their wares right now.
Speaking separately, Ni Nyoman Marni shared with reporters how she had been left traumatized by the fire.
She explained, “As I am remembering it, it’s very sad, especially since the smoke was so thick, I thought the market would run out like in 2016, my goods can’t be checked or taken, and I don’t know what was damaged, the officers don’t allow me to enter and the market was all closed.”
@leonie.cecere Things to do in Ubud, Bali incl. prices (indonesian rupiah)✨🌺💖 #bali #ubud #travel #fyp #balifyp #ubudfyp #ubudmarket #monkeyforestbali #ubudpalace #nightmarket #campuhanridgewalk #tegallalangriceterrace ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay
In a statement, the Gianyar Regency Head of Industry and Trade, Luh Gede Eka Suary, called for both traders and tourists to be patient while an investigation was underway.
He explained, “The amount of loss is still in the process of collecting data, and we cannot say what was damaged and how it was handled.”
Suary added, “Please be patient; traders cannot sell until there is a decision on where to relocate.”
In a press conference held on Friday, 23rd August, the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Dit Reskrimum) of the Bali Police and the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Gianyar Police shared an update on the investigation into the cause of the fire.
Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Commissioner Pol Jansen Avitus Panjaitan, revealed “Until now, the results of an inspection by the Bali Police Laboratory for the Fire at Ubud Market have found that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.”
“However, the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Bali Police and the Gianyar Police are currently carrying out further investigations.”
He continued, “This is not the first time an incident like this has occurred. In 2016, the market also caught fire. We will see later whether the electrical short circuit was due to negligence or not. It could have been due to negligence.”
PC Panjaitan said that the investigation would remain ongoing and that police are now working to establish whether any safety or security officers at Ubud Art Market have played a criminally negligible role in the incident.
He concluded, “Who is responsible here? Did the officers carry out the inspection properly or not? We hope that there will be a deterrent effect. This cannot happen again…The evidence was secured from the market basement, which was the starting point of the fire.”
Since Ubud Art Market is the biggest and most central destination to invest in all manner of Bali-made arts, crafts, and souvenirs, tourists planning their itineraries need not miss out.
There are many small market stall areas in and around central Ubud. The art market that lines the alleyway leading to Juwuk Manis Rice Field Walk in central Ubud is a great alternative to Ubud Art Market.
Jalan Goutama and Jalan Monkey Forest are also home to a fantastic selection of boutique shops and market vendors.
