Two men in Thailand suffered minor injuries after a mookata stove unexpectedly exploded while they were grilling meat outside their workplace.
The incident happened at around 8.15pm on 21 August at a repair shop in Prachin Buri province, central Thailand. The two men, who are brothers aged 38 and 30, had reportedly been having a meal with their colleagues after finishing work.
Footage of the incident shows the pair sitting by the stove and casually preparing their food before the unexpected explosion sent smoke and sparks into the air.
Mookata Stove Explodes Moments After Meat Is Placed On Grill
According to reports, the older brother had just placed two pieces of meat on the grill when the stove suddenly exploded.
A loud bang was heard as the stove erupted, sending white smoke and sparks towards the two men. The sudden blast appeared to catch them completely off guard, with both men quickly scrambling away from the area.
The incident was captured on video, with the footage showing the men moving away immediately after the explosion. Members of the public later gathered around the area to inspect the damaged stove and find out what had happened.
Fortunately, neither man suffered serious injuries in the incident. Both reportedly sustained minor burns to their torsos and arms.
Man Was Inviting Girlfriend To Join Meal Before Blast
The older brother later described how unexpectedly the incident occurred. He reportedly told local media that he had been on the phone at the time, inviting his girlfriend to come over and join the group for dinner.
He said that he had only placed two pieces of meat on the grill before the stove suddenly exploded.
The brothers had been enjoying the popular Thai-style barbecue dish known as mookata, which typically involves grilling meat on a domed hotplate while cooking soup or other ingredients around it.
The cause of the explosion has not been established. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine whether the stove, its fuel source or another factor may have caused the sudden blast.
Investigation Underway Into Mookata Stove Explosion
The incident highlights the potential risks associated with portable cooking equipment, particularly when used in workplaces or outdoor areas.
While mookata is a popular dining experience in Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, cooking equipment involving gas or other fuel sources can pose a fire and burn hazard if something goes wrong.
In this case, the two brothers were fortunate to escape with only minor injuries despite being seated directly beside the stove when it exploded.
Investigators are expected to examine the equipment and surrounding area as they work to establish what triggered the blast. At this stage, there is no indication that the brothers did anything unusual immediately before the explosion.
The incident has also prompted renewed attention on basic fire safety, particularly when using gas-powered cooking equipment in residential, commercial or outdoor settings.