Customer Dropped Lighter into Haidilao Hotpot & Hotpot Exploded in Waitress’s Face

You’ve probably heard all about the amazing customer service in Haidilao by now. It’s how they got to be the top hotpot chain in China.

As soon as you step into the restaurant, the staff will tend to you in every way you need, from advising you on your menu choices to cooking your food for you and arranging complimentary fruit platters.

In one particular outlet in China, it’s probably not a part of their job description but it seems they’ll even catch a grenade for their customers.

What Happened

CCTV footage taken on 15 May in a Haidilao outlet in Kunming City in Yunnan province, China, depicts the accident.

In the video, a waiter was seen attempting to fish out something, allegedly a lighter dropped by the customer, from the bubbling hot pot using two ladles.

A couple of seconds in, the hotpot appeared to blow up, releasing a shower of scalding orange liquid which sent the people around the table fleeing for cover. The waiter bore the brunt of the blast because of her role in trying to fish the lighter out.

It was reported that two people, probably the waiter and the worst-hit customer, were injured and rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Haidilao said that they are still investigating the incident.

The Dangers of Lighters

How many of you knew that lighters could easily double up as explosives?

I’ll bet a good handful of you like throwing nearly empty lighters on the ground for that very reason because I do too. (Am I allowed to say that? Is it illegal?)

But there are probably also a lot of you who have no idea, so here are a few things to note:

1. Yes, lighters can explode if they’re dropped on the ground with sufficient force. The more the butane left, the bigger the explosion. And please this isn’t encouragement; it’s a warning to not toss around your lighters unless you want it to explode.
2. Heat makes lighters explode too, so that’s what’s at play here. For that reason, leaving your lighters in your car on a hot day is also not advisable; accidents have happened!

Though the force of the explosion won’t be that strong, do take caution still. You don’t need a big blast to take off a chunk of flesh if you’re holding the very bomb. Also, the flying plastic will be an extra hazard.

Potential Solutions

I wonder if the waiter knew she was putting herself directly in harm’s way when she tried to assist the customer out with his lighter.

I wonder if there was anything she could do even if she knew.

Definitely, she had to help in some way or it wouldn’t be Haidilao, but if a similar incident were to happen in future, switching the fire off immediately will probably be a good move.

Some form of bodily protection will also come in handy, and the fewer people crowded around that area, the better.

Who knew this would turn into such a safety announcement?

Wishing the injured of this incident a speedy recovery, and all future staff and patrons of Haidilao safe meals!