The terrifying incident happened at Monterey Jack’s restaurant in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, when a 16-year-old waitress tried to relight the campfire-style burner by pouring liquid fuel over it. The flames erupted instantly, setting the boy on fire as he stood beside his sister. His panicked mother rushed to extinguish the flames, while another customer provided first aid before paramedics arrived.
Doctors later told the boy’s parents that his glasses had likely saved his sight, saying he could have been blinded otherwise.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard that the American-themed restaurant had only been open for two weeks when the accident occurred in November 2018. The company has since admitted two counts of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Prosecutor Kristina Kelly told the court that the boy and his 14-year-old sister were roasting marshmallows when the fire went out. “A 16-year-old waitress attempted to relight it with a stem lighter, but when that failed, she fetched a bottle of liquid fuel. Despite warning the children to stand back, she poured the fuel onto the burner, causing a burst of flames to shoot across the restaurant,” Kelly said.
The boy suffered burns to his face, ear, eyebrow, and eyelashes. He was treated in hospital and later required specialist care from a burns unit for three years. He developed anxiety and was diagnosed with borderline post-traumatic stress disorder. His sister suffered a minor hand burn, while the teenage waitress also sustained a burn injury to her hand.
The court heard that under-18 employees were not supposed to handle or light fire pits, a task reserved for managers. Investigations revealed serious lapses in staff training and safety awareness.
Gary Marshall, representing Monterey Jack’s, said the company “accepts full responsibility” and expressed “sincere regret,” admitting that the existing risk assessments and supervision were insufficient. “Immediately after this incident, all fire pits in our restaurants were removed to ensure it would never happen again,” he said.
Sheriff Joseph Hughes called the use of such fuel burners “inherently dangerous in a public setting.”
The restaurant chain, which once operated around a dozen outlets across Scotland, ceased trading in 2022 but remains legally active due to the ongoing prosecution.
