White Tortoise Bali: Boutique accommodation in Uluwatu shares devastation after three villas burnt down
Video footage has captured the moment a fire tears through a villa at a luxury resort.
Three villas in Bali’s popular coastal region of Uluwatu have been destroyed after they became engulfed in flames.
White Tortoise Eco Villas, a boutique resort at the island hotspot, said in a statement that three of its seven “beloved” villas were incinerated “within 10 minutes” after a raging blaze erupted.
According to the business, the inferno was sparked by locals who were burning rubbish outside near the property.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Yesterday was the worst day of our lives,” the business said in a statement posted on Instagram.
“Three of our beloved villas burned down due to locals burning trash outside the resort while it hasn’t been raining for months and during a very windy day.
“Within 10 minutes they were gone. 💔”
Heartbreaking footage shared alongside the statement shows flames ravaging one of the villas, leaving it singed to little more than its timber frame.
White Tortoise said it would remain closed while it works to repair the damage and restore the property into the “magical place” it once was.
“The inferno did damage to the resort’s electrical system and water supply and therefore we are forced to close the remaining villas until these issues are resolved.
“We WILL rebuild and we will work our burned asses of to bring this magical place back to life.”
Nobody was injured in the blaze, according to the business.
The resort’s claim that the fire was sparked by rubbish burning has not been independently verified.
Burning household waste is a common practice in part of Indonesia, where it has long been used as a convenient way to get rid of rubbish.
The practice has become increasing problematic as the types of waste being burned have changed.
Indonesia Investments notes that household rubbish now commonly includes plastic, Styrofoam and other synthetic materials, creating significantly more dangerous emissions when set alight.
The resulting smoke can contain toxic substances including dioxins and furans, as well as fine particles that can pose serious risk to human health and the environment.
“When banana leaves were replaced by single-use plastic sachets, styrofoam and synthetic wrappers in the late 20th century, this burning habit now produces acrid, toxic smoke loaded with dioxins, furans and fine particulate matter,” the site reads.
