A birthday cake with sparklers set a well-known bar on fire when the sparkles touched the ceiling decoration. Customers fled in panic breaking the window glasses with the help of the personnel.
Six people were transferred to a nearby hospital.
It was in a well-known bar in Pangrati district of Athens at 10 p.m. on Sunday, when a waiter brought the birthday cake to a table with a group of people.
According to eyewitnesses, the waiter raised the cake a bit higher and then the Christmas decoration including a tree caught fire. Citing sources from the Fire Service, media reported that also a small explosion occurred when the Christmas tree lights had a short circuit.
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The flames spread quickly and smoke filled the space.
Panic broke among the customers, who began to break the windows to escape with the help of the personnel.
“We almost burned alive, we were trampled to get out,” a woman who was inside the bar said in a post on social media.
Speaking to Mega Live News, the DJ of a bar next to the one on fire said that they saw the owner running inside in panic and urging them to call for help. The man added that they all rushed outside to help.
Firefighters with 4 engines as well as police vehicles and ambulances rushed to the spot.
Six people were slightly injured and were taken to “Evangelismos” hospital mainly as a precaution.
On Monday morning, police arrested the bar employee following a report by the fire Service. He is expected to be brought before the prosecutor and be charged for arson by negligence.
Some birthday surprise. This imbecile raised it almost to the ceiling. The people in there were lucky to escape with their lives.
Remember how a similar fire somewhere in the Middle East killed dozens?
Common sense and the precautionary principle went out the door a long time ago.
Angry people waiting for others to make mistakes so that they release all their anger and garbage on them. Everybody makes mistakes Mr. Dejan including yourself. Take it easy on others, otherwise consult a psychiatrist.