NT WorkSafe has revealed the possible cause of the Little Miss Korea explosion

The Territory’s workplace safety watchdog believes it has found the likely reason why a table exploded at a popular Darwin restaurant, injuring five patrons.

The Little Miss Korea explosion injured five people on September 7, 2022. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

NT WorkSafe has released a report that reveals the most likely reason a butane gas bottle exploded on a table of six patrons at the Little Miss Korea restaurant last month.

The report also came with a strong warning from the regulator, which urged business owners to follow the law when using potentially dangerous goods in their outlets.

Five of the six customers of the Darwin CBD restaurant were admitted to the Royal Darwin hospital with varying degrees of burns to their arms and legs, requiring emergency treatment.

The explosion happened while the six men were cooking their meal on a barbecue appliance inserted into the table, which can use butane gas cartridges or charcoal as the fuel source.

The barbecue appliance used in the Little Miss Korea explosion. Insert 1. The vented cartridge compartment. Insert 2. The release vents are exposed on the gas cartridge indicating the CRV safety device activated. Picture: Supplied.

At the time of the incident, the patrons were cooking with charcoal as the fuel source for the barbecue.

The report states the constant radiant heat from the burning charcoal may have caused the butane gas in the cartridge to expand and over-pressure, activating the cartridge’s safety device - known as a countersink release vent.

This released the cartridge’s butane gas content, causing it to ignite.

The final cause of the incident still remains under investigation with NT WorkSafe.

The regulator has the final decision in determining if there was a breach of safety protocol and what sanctions may be issued.

The safety watchdog warned Northern Territory business licensees they must comply with the Dangerous Goods Regulations 1985 act, including using approved appliances.

Businesses must follow all manufacturer’s instructions before using any gas appliance and this included the manufacturer’s instructions for any fuel source such as gas cartridges.

Safely remove any gas cartridges from the appliance if another fuel source, like charcoal, is being used, NT WorkSafe said.

Little Miss Korea owners have been contacted for comment.

Originally published as NT WorkSafe has revealed the possible cause of the Little Miss Korea explosion