19-year-old woman killed in freak bar explosion in Argentina

A 19-year-old woman in Argentina has died from burns suffered in a freak explosion caused by a heater in an outdoor bar, reports have said.

Lucía Costa was out for her first drink with friends since the coronavirus pandemic began at Zar Burgers in San Miguel, outside Buenos Aires, on Friday before the horrific incident took place, The New York Post reported.

CCTV footage of the incident shows an employee walk up to the table and pour what La Nacion reported was alcohol onto a small fire heater in the centre of their table,

Seconds later the heater in the footage explodes in flames and the people at the table run from the scene but many are already engulfed by the blaze.

Ms Costa died as a result of burns suffered in the incident, the newspaper reported, and eight of her friends were also said to be seriously injured.

Ms Costa’s mother, Lorena, told La Nacion that “nobody did anything” to save the life of her daughter and said she needs "justice for Lucia and for all the other boys; we are all together".

An investigation into the incident is said to be underway and three people have been charged with “culpable injuries” and “culpable homicide,” including the bar’s owner, a manager and an employee, The Post reported.

Ms Costa’s uncle, Maximiliano, told reportedly told C5N his niece died during her first night out with friends since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the US and forced substantial closures across the country.

“They were sitting at a table that had a centerpiece with flames and one of the waitresses approached with a five-liter can of alcohol to recharge this kind of torch,” he is said to have told the outlet.

“The can exploded and this burning fuel soaked those who were around, especially Lucia who received the worst of all this.”

Family lawyer Manuel Aramayo also reportedly told the television channel that the bar does not comply with social distance protocols or have an emergency exit, and should have been more careful with the heater.

“The establishment only had one fire extinguisher,” he added.

Maximiliano reportedly said that Ms Costa suffered burns to 40 per cent of her body including to her face, chest, and arms and that her "respiratory tract was compromised".

It is not clear why the employee poured alcohol on to the flames.

“Zar Burger deeply regrets the incident that took place last night,” the restaurant said in a statement.  

“We share the sorrow of Lucía Costa's family and we look forward to the prompt recovery of the other youngsters. From the first moment, we focused on every effort to clarify what happened, collaborating with justice.”