Tragic barbecue incident in Germany

In the southern part of Hesse, a regular barbecue escalated into a dangerous incident. One person was seriously injured, as Deutsche Welle reports.

The weekend gathering turned tragic for a resident of southern Hesse in Germany. The police in Darmstadt reported that a 59-year-old man, in an attempt to quicken the lighting process of the barbecue, poured liquid spirit onto the grill.

This action caused the spirit and its vapours to ignite, resulting in flames engulfing a 31-year-old man standing nearby. He sustained serious injuries and was in such a critical condition that he had to be airlifted to a hospital.

The police are currently investigating the incident as a case of negligent bodily harm.

In light of this accident, German media remind people that liquid barbecue lighters pose significant risks. Specifically, using spirit or gasoline is highly discouraged. They recommend the safest option be lighting blocks in solid form.

It is important to ensure the barbecue is set up on a level, sturdy surface away from playing children. Additionally, barbecues should never be lit in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.