Fire Destroys 120 Traditional Houses at Sade Tourism Village in Indonesia

A catastrophic fire engulfed 120 traditional houses at the Sade tourism village in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on the night of Saturday, August 22, 2026. The blaze erupted around 10:00 PM Central Indonesian Time, though its origin remains undetermined. Rambitan Village Head Lalu Winakse reported that firefighters and rescue teams were working tirelessly to contain the flames and evacuate affected residents.

Central Lombok Regency Disaster Management Agency Head Ridwan Maruf confirmed that the fire destroyed 120 houses, but the tally of displaced individuals is still ongoing and dependent on the outcome of today's coordination meeting.

The fire began in a single house at the heart of the traditional settlement, rapidly spreading to neighboring structures predominantly built from wood, bamboo, and thatch grass. Supardan, Head of the Central Lombok Regency Fire and Rescue Agency, explained that as of early Sunday morning, his team was still battling the inferno, supported by firefighting resources from neighboring regions including East Lombok, West Lombok, Mataram City, the NTB Provincial Government, and Central Lombok Regency's fire and rescue units.

The distinctive Sade houses, known for their unique design, are constructed from thatch-covered bamboo walls (*bedek*) and clay floors mixed with buffalo dung and rice straw ash. This hardened flooring, derived from ancestral techniques, solidifies over time, resembling cement in strength. Locals source their building materials from the surrounding environment, using bamboo pegs to interlock wooden components.

Notably, Sade houses feature a singular, narrow doorway and no windows, emphasizing their traditional architectural style.