A routine attempt to whip up a batch of homemade mayonnaise took a terrifying turn at a cafe in Spain, resulting in a significant fire that forced the evacuation of dozens of customers and left one employee hospitalised.
The incident occurred at the Meson el Churrasco restaurant in the city of Córdoba. According to local fire services, the blaze began when a chef was preparing aioli, a traditional garlic mayonnaise, using a large industrial blender.
A Recipe for Disaster
Initial reports suggest the powerful machine was being used to emulsify the oil and egg mixture at high speed. The friction and heat generated by the blender's motor are believed to have caused the concoction to overheat dramatically, leading to a sudden and intense fire.
Flames reportedly shot out of the blender, quickly spreading to the kitchen's extraction hood, which was laden with flammable grease buildup. This turned a small kitchen accident into a major emergency.
Chaos and Evacuation
As smoke and flames filled the kitchen, staff and patrons were thrown into chaos. Emergency services were swiftly called to the scene.
Approximately 30 people were safely evacuated from the establishment. One individual, understood to be a kitchen employee, suffered burns and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Fortunately, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Fire Brigade's Unusual Diagnosis
In a unusual twist, the Fire Prevention and Extinction Service of the Córdoba Provincial Council explicitly identified the cause of the fire as an incident "while they were making homemade mayonnaise."
Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze before it could cause structural damage to the building. Their report highlighted the dangers of complacency in commercial kitchens, even during seemingly simple tasks.
A Warning for Home Cooks and Chefs Alike
While the cafe was not using the well-known Hellmann's brand, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards of making mayonnaise from scratch, especially in large quantities with powerful equipment.
The high oil content makes the mixture highly flammable under the right conditions. This fiery mishap in Córdoba is a cautionary tale for professional and amateur cooks everywhere about the importance of kitchen safety.
