A small but startling fire briefly disrupted the backstage area of the 2026 Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday, January 12, turning the spotlight from Hollywood's elite to a quick-thinking catering team.
A Catering Mishap Sparks Chaos
The incident occurred in the backstage press room at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, the event's iconic venue. According to a report and video shared on X by Chris Gardner of the Hollywood Reporter, the blaze began when catering staff accidentally knocked over a coffee holder. The real culprit, however, was the lit sterno canister—a small fuel cell used for heating—positioned underneath it.
"For a brief moment, the carpet was on fire and smoke wafted up around the curtains," Gardner wrote in his social media post. His video footage captured the tense seconds as catering personnel rushed to contain the unexpected flames and smoke, working swiftly to douse the fire and begin cleanup operations.
Quick Action Prevents a Major Crisis
Fortunately, the response was both immediate and effective. The staff managed to extinguish the flames before they could spread or cause significant damage. "They put it out quickly fortunately. Yikes!" Gardner added, summarizing the relieved sentiment backstage. The entire episode was resolved in moments, allowing the star-studded ceremony and its surrounding media activities to continue without further interruption.
While the venue itself was never in serious danger, the incident served as a reminder of how quickly accidents can happen in the bustling, high-pressure environment of a major live awards show. The focus quickly returned to the glitz and glamour, including the many fashion highlights described as "pretty fire" on the red carpet.
No Harm Done, But a Memorable Moment
The fire at the 2026 Golden Globes will likely be remembered as a minor, swiftly handled blip in the evening's events. It underscored the importance of behind-the-scenes staff whose quick thinking ensures the show always goes on, even when faced with literal flames. The ceremony proceeded without further incident, leaving attendees and viewers none the wiser about the brief backstage drama.
