On Friday 21st April 2023, a fire at an Italian restaurant in Madrid, Spain, claimed the lives of two people and injured 12 others.
The flames reportedly spread quickly after a waiter flambéed a dish, causing the ceiling and walls to catch fire.
The blaze occurred at Burro Canaglia Bar&Resto, located in the Salamanca neighbourhood.
Flambé, a French term that translates to “flamed,” is a cooking technique that involves covering food with alcohol and setting it alight.
According to Madrid’s mayor, Jose Luis Martínez-Almeida, the fire started when a flambéed pizza was being served, causing the decorations in the restaurant to catch fire.
The plastic plants in the restaurant also caught fire during the flambé process, contributing to the spread of the flames.
The mayor confirmed that one of the deceased was an employee of the restaurant, while the other was a customer.
Around 30 diners and staff members were inside the restaurant at the time of the fire.
The fire broke out near the entrance, which made it difficult for people to escape, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais.
Flambéing is a cooking technique that uses a blowtorch to light food, typically for dramatic effect or to add a smoky flavour.
