Horrified diners at a restaurant witnessed a disturbing incident where a 10-year-old boy caught fire while roasting marshmallows over a fire pit. The boy, accompanied by his sister, was near the fire pit when a 16-year-old waitress poured liquid fuel on the fire to reignite it, causing the flames to engulf the boy. His mother managed to extinguish the fire, aided by another customer who provided first aid.
Medical professionals later informed the boy’s parents that his vision was likely saved by the fact that he was wearing glasses during the incident. The accident occurred at Monterey Jack’s restaurant in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, which had only been operating for two weeks at the time. The company has admitted to breaching health and safety regulations.
According to reports, the restaurant featured a campfire-style setup with a metal fuel burner surrounded by stones to enhance the Wild West theme. During the incident, the waitress attempted to relight the burner using liquid fuel, resulting in a sudden burst of flames that injured the boy. The court was informed that employees under 18 should not have been responsible for lighting the fire pit, indicating a lack of proper training and awareness of potential hazards among the staff.
Monterey Jack’s, a restaurant chain with multiple locations in Scotland, faced criticism for its inadequate safety measures surrounding the use of fuel burners. The company has since ceased operations, but legal proceedings are ongoing. A representative for the company expressed remorse for the incident, citing deficiencies in risk assessments, training, and supervision.
In response to the accident, all fire pits were promptly removed from the premises to prevent similar incidents in the future. The court will issue a sentencing decision in December, highlighting the potential dangers associated with using fuel burners in public settings.