Footage shows the moment when flames engulfed a dancer at a busy restaurant near Bogotá, Colombia, sending the panicked woman running for help.
The victim, Laura Villamil, can be seen with several dancers carrying lit torches at the packed Andres Carnes de Res restaurant Saturday in Chía, Cundinamarca, six miles north of Bogotá.
That’s when the 28-year-old’s skirt suddenly catches fire, surrounding the frantic performer in flames as shocked witnesses look on.
Laura reportedly ran to another part of the restaurant, where an employee used an outfit and a blanket to smother the flames.
She suffered burns to 80 percent of her body and is in critical condition, her brother, Santiago Villamil, told Noticias Caracol.
Laura Villamil suffered burns to 80 percent of her body after her skirt caught fire while she was performing at a restaurant near Bogotá, Colombia
The 28-year-old’s skirt suddenly caught fire, surrounding her in flames as shocked witnesses look on
Laura was rushed to a local medical facility and then transferred to the Santa Fé Foundation clinic in Bogotá, where she is fighting for her life, her brother said.
‘She has a tracheostomy and is on mechanical ventilation. Doctors have treated her wounds and done everything necessary,’ Santiago Villamil said.
‘The prognosis is guarded and any improvement is very minimal. We are waiting to see how she evolves after the procedures.’
On Monday, Laura’s condition worsened to the point where the family thought she was going to die.
‘It’s a miracle that she’s alive. We had an episode three days ago where her vital signs dropped and she was practically dead,’ her brother said.
She suffered burns to 80 percent of her body and is in critical condition, her brother said
Laura Villamil suffered first and second degree burns, according to her brother. Most of her burns were to her genitals and back
Villamil, who is also an actress, has reportedly been working for the restaurant for five years.
In a statement, Andres Carnes de Res expressed support for Laura and her family while addressing the restaurant’s response to the incident.
‘From the first moment this unfortunate event occurred, all established safety and care protocols were immediately and effectively activated, which allowed her to be transferred to a first-class medical center as quickly as possible,’ the restaurant said.
‘The company’s management has been present at the hospital, accompanying the employee’s family, monitoring her medical progress, and reiterating its commitment to support.’
Villamil has worked at the restaurant for five years
The mayor of the Colombian city of Chía said an initial report found that the fire was the result of ‘an occupational risk’
Andres Carnes de Res said that its fire show had been suspended while the restaurant reviews the safety conditions.
Chía Mayor Leonardo Donoso said in a statement that results of an initial inspection indicate that the accident was the result of ‘an occupational risk’ and that the worker’s compensation board ‘will be responsible for indicating what omissions were made.’
‘Just as it was an artist, which should not have happened, it could have happened with the kitchen staff, in the parking lot,’ Donoso said. ‘The question is whether this type of activity with fire, like the one that triggered the event, should have been performed.
‘Risk management personnel and a multidisciplinary team carried out the respective checks, reviewing fire extinguishers, emergency exits, emergency plans, evacuation lines and everything complies with this, even their care brigade and a contract with a group that provides care in the event of a medical emergency,’ the mayor said.