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Aussie tourists hailed heroes after saving business’ stock in Bali building fire

Six Australians have put their lives at risk to help locals in Bali after a huge building fire threatened to destroy two businesses.

Aussie tourists sprang into action on Saturday when a Balinese building began to burn. Picture: 7NEWS
Aussie tourists sprang into action on Saturday when a Balinese building began to burn. Picture: 7NEWS

Aussies travelling in a popular holiday destination have been hailed heroes among locals, after they leapt to action in the midst of a fire.

On Saturday night, six Australians holidaying in Bali jumped to the rescue as a fire threatened to destroy the contents of a building on the island’s west coast.

Flames engulfed two businesses in Bali on Saturday. Picture: 7NEWS
Flames engulfed two businesses in Bali on Saturday. Picture: 7NEWS
The flames covered the street in smoke. Picture: 7NEWS
The flames covered the street in smoke. Picture: 7NEWS

Victorian Jack Bach, 30, was among the group of Aussie rescuers who helped to save the belongings of locals as the Leigan building lit up.

“When we saw the Balinese ladies and children crying, and they were about to lose all their stuff, so we thought we better jump in and do what we can,” he told 7NEWS.

Aussie tourists sprang into action when the Balinese building began to burn. Picture 7NEWS
Aussie tourists sprang into action when the Balinese building began to burn. Picture 7NEWS
They were filmed carrying stock out of the blaze. Picture: 7NEWS
They were filmed carrying stock out of the blaze. Picture: 7NEWS

The blaze, which is believed to have been sparked by an electrical fault, also threatened a neighbouring door art gallery.

Locals in the area reportedly used hoses to try and control the blaze until firefighters arrived on scene.

Jack Bach and Nathan Garrard were among the Aussies helping out. Picture: 7NEWS
Jack Bach and Nathan Garrard were among the Aussies helping out. Picture: 7NEWS

Footage of the incident shows Mr Bach running in and out of the burning building shirtless and in thongs, while he tried to move stock out to minimise the damage.

He later told 7NEWS it was “pretty hot,” as he made the 20 trips to and from the building.

“We could see the flames,” he said.

“The flames were coming down through here and dropping down.

Frankston's Jack Bach said the flames were ‘pretty hot’ as they tore through the building Picture: 7NEWS
Frankston's Jack Bach said the flames were ‘pretty hot’ as they tore through the building Picture: 7NEWS

“So we were pulling all the stuff away from the flames, and then we were just running it out.”

A second tourist, Nathan Garrard, told 7News it was like “chaos” with “people crying and running around everywhere, flames coming out of the roof.”

The two had only just arrived in Bali, and are now back to enjoying their holiday.

Originally published as Aussie tourists hailed heroes after saving business’ stock in Bali building fire

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/business/companies/travel/aussie-tourists-hailed-heroes-after-saving-business-stock-in-bali-building-fire/news-story/2af118667fca1042c59884480b118ab3