Diner scarred for life after sausage explodes in her face
Last updated at 00:25 13 April 2007
WARNING: This story contains strong images
A woman diner was left with horrific burns after a Portuguese sausage dish exploded in her face.
The victim was eating with friends when the accident took place at the Sporting Clube de Londres in west London.
Restaurant owner Rui Daniel Faria Velosa was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs for breaching safety rules.
Witnesses described how the flaming chorizo sausage dish burnt out of control when a waiter topped it up with rum at a table packed with people.
The woman, who spent two weeks in hospital and has since undergone two skin graft operations, said it was like being hit by a "flame-thrower".
The Sporting Clube bar and restaurant in Westbourne Green is a popular destination for football fans.
The victim was eating with a group of friends when the incident happened in May 2005.
The meal, served in a ceramic dish, arrived covered in burning alcohol, but the accident took place when a waiter added more.
At this point burning liquid escaped and spilled over the victim. One friend said it looked like a "big ball of fire".
The victim will to have to wear pressure garments on both hands for 23 hours a day for up to two years.
She has also suffered from flash-backs, panic attacks, anxiety and depression.
The prosecution was brought by Kensington and Chelsea Council following an investigation by environmental health officers.
The restaurant admitted three charges relating to failing to make a proper risk assessment, failing to serve the dish safely and failing to report the accident.
Fiona Buxton, of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: "This was a truly awful accident that should never have happened. The victim's life has been affected terribly.
"I hope this fine gets the message across to other restaurants that the Council will not tolerate any business which does not follow the correct health and safety procedures in the workplace."
Some Portuguese restaurants serve dishes in which chorizo sausage is cooked over burning spirits in a shallow terracotta bowl.
In general, high alcohol spirits such as brandy, grappa or rum are used and customers have the meat cooked to their taste at the table.
No one was available at Sporting Clube, in Elkstone Road, W10, to comment.
Most watched News videos
- New video shows Epstein laughing and chasing young women
- Epstein describes himself as a 'tier one' sexual predator
- Buddhist monks in Thailand caught with a stash of porn
- British Airways passengers turn flight into a church service
- Skier dressed as Chewbacca brutally beaten in mass brawl
- Sarah Ferguson 'took Princesses' to see Epstein after prison
- Jenna Bush Hager in tears over disappearance of Nancy Guthrie
- Forth Bridge fireball fall into village streets
- China unveils 'Star Wars' warship that can deploy unmanned jets
- Melinda Gates says she feels immense sadness for Epstein victims
- Amazon driver's furious rant about deliveries captured on ring camera
- Authorities give update on search for Savannah Guthrie's mom
