Horrified diners at a restaurant witnessed a distressing incident where a 10-year-old boy caught fire while roasting marshmallows over a fire pit. The boy and his sister were near the fire pit when a 16-year-old employee poured fuel over it to reignite the flames, resulting in the boy sustaining severe burns before his mother extinguished the fire. Another patron at the restaurant provided first aid as the family reacted in panic.
Medical professionals later informed the boy’s parents that his eyesight was likely saved due to him wearing glasses during the incident. The Monterey Jack’s restaurant in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, where the accident occurred in November 2018, had only been operational for a short period before the unfortunate event took place. The company has admitted to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
The family was dining at the restaurant, which featured a campfire-style setup with a metal fuel burner surrounded by stones to complement the Wild West theme. According to reports, the boy and his sister were toasting marshmallows when the fire pit’s flame extinguished. The waitress attempted to relight it with a lighter and then resorted to using liquid fuel, leading to a sudden burst of flames that caused the boy’s injuries.
The court proceedings revealed that employees under 18 were not supposed to handle lighting the fire pit, as it was a task designated for managers. It was highlighted that there was inadequate staff training and a lack of awareness regarding potential dangers. The company, which operated multiple restaurants in Scotland, has since ceased trading but remains in existence due to ongoing legal matters.
Representing the company in court, a shareholder acknowledged the company’s responsibility and expressed deep regret for the incident. He admitted that the existing risk assessments were insufficient regarding the fuel burner and acknowledged the inadequate training and supervision of underage employees. Following the incident, all fire pits in their establishments were removed to prevent similar accidents from occurring.
The court is set to deliver the firm’s sentencing in December.