TEMERLOH: An outing by a family of seven to enjoy 'steamboat' at a restaurant here turned into a tragedy when a portable gas stove they were using exploded, causing burns to their faces and hands.
A man known as Asri Yusof said the incident occurred on March 9 when he and his family were dining at a 'steamboat' restaurant here.
It is understood that before the incident, they heard an explosion before the gas stove flared up.
However, they were believed to be unable to avoid it, and all were hit by sparks from the gas stove.
As a result, Asri intends to take legal action against the restaurant.
Asri claimed that the restaurant owner did not take any action to assist them except taking his family members to the nearby clinic and offering inadequate compensation.
"There was no follow-up action, and only after I insisted did they come to visit.
"We need treatment because of serious injuries.
"The restaurant tried to offer RM1,000 compensation but for six family members. I don't know what to say.
"It's not just a small wound but almost the entire face. Take responsibility because we are currently in pain, have to take leave, and need treatment," he wrote in a Facebook post.
Asri also claimed that the same incident had occurred last November, but no preventive action was taken.
"I'm not sure if there was a report to the authorities or not.
"Accidents can happen again because the equipment is not properly maintained.
"To the owner, don't just think about profit," he wrote, also urging the public to share his post for everyone's safety.
Harian Metro attempted to contact Asri for the latest developments in the case, but calls and messages sent have not been answered so far.
Meanwhile, Temerloh District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mazlan Hassan, when contacted today, confirmed that his department received a report from the victim on March 16.
"The victim lodged a police report with the aim of taking civil action against the restaurant owner," he said.
