A fire at Ragusa's Bon Restaurant has left 14 people hospitalized with minor injuries following chaos during a birthday celebration late Friday night. According to local reports, the fire was believed to have been ignited by sparklers, which accidentally touched off flammable decor, leading to rapid flames engulfing the wooden structure.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before midnight after the blaze erupted, as birthday revelers were caught off guard. Video footage shared on social media by witnesses captured the moments leading up to the fire, where guests were seen energetically participating with sparklers, unaware of the impending danger.
The situation escalated quickly, with guests fleeing the venue as flames spread. Several attendees experienced panic as smoke filled the area. Fortunately, most individuals managed to escape without major injuries, though 14 were transported to hospitals by ambulance for treatment of smoke inhalation and minor burns.
Firefighters from four teams arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the emergency call and worked diligently to control the fire. Their operations lasted until approximately 3:40 AM, successfully extinguishing the flames after they had raged through the structure.
The Ragusa Fire Department reported extensive damage to the Bon Restaurant, noting it was now rendered unusable due to the fire's severity. They confirmed the cause was likely linked to the festive activities of the evening, highlighting the dangers associated with improper handling of fire-based entertainment during gatherings.
Eyewitness accounts provide additional details, describing how the fire erupted suddenly when the sparklers ignited nearby flammable materials. One guest recounted, "It happened so fast; one moment we were dancing and celebrating, and the next the whole place was filled with smoke and flames." Such reactions depict the overall sense of disbelief and urgency as the guests attempted to evacuate.
Police officers quickly secured the location and ensured the area was safe for firefighters to operate, as emergency medical teams assessed the injuries sustained by the evacuees. Thankfully, reports indicating the injuries were due to smoke inhalation and minor burns reassured many, considering the disastrous potential of such incidents.
Investigations are underway to definitively determine the series of events leading to the fire, with authorities reviewing video footage collected from social media alongside witness testimonies. The restaurant's management has expressed gratitude for the prompt response from emergency services, underscoring the importance of safety regulations during public events.
This incident at Bon Restaurant serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with indoor celebrations involving combustible materials. Authorities will likely be reassessing safety protocols to prevent such occurrences from happening again in the future.
Meanwhile, the local community has rallied around the affected guests, offering support and resources to assist those injured during the incident. Many expressed their relief at the quick rescue efforts, which prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome.
Ragusa's fire department plans to release additional safety guidelines after analyzing the incident's root causes, aiming to educate business owners on implementing safer practices for events with potentially hazardous elements.
Investigators will continue gathering information on the fire, with updates expected as the inquiry develops. For now, the Bon Restaurant remains closed, its future uncertain as cleanup and recovery efforts begin.