Video shows 'fireball' incident at Navy Pier restaurant that left woman critically injured; lawsuits filed

CHICAGO - Five people are suing over a fire last month at a Navy Pier restaurant that left four with burn injuries — one of them critically.

What we know:

Cavanagh Sorich Law Group said the incident took place at a private corporate event hosted by investment firm Nuveen at Offshore Rooftop, a popular lakefront restaurant, on Sept. 24.

According to the complaints, the fire started at a food station where guests were roasting marshmallows for s’mores. The suits allege a restaurant employee poured a combustible accelerant, possibly alcohol, onto the open flame, sparking a "fireball" that set guests on fire.

One of the victims, 25-year-old Kira Bond, suffered critical injuries and remains under treatment after surgeries and skin grafts at Stroger Hospital’s burn unit. Another guest, 44-year-old Lisa Segner, was also hospitalized with burns.

Two others — Peter Gianaris and Fernando Ramirez — were treated for less severe burns but said they were traumatized by the scene. A fifth plaintiff, Philip Segner, filed a loss of consortium claim on behalf of his wife.

The lawsuits name Offshore Rooftop’s management company, Maverick Hotels and Restaurants, LLC, and general manager Laurent Boisdron as defendants.

What they're saying:

Attorneys Timothy Cavanagh and Marc McCallister, in statements, said the "fireball" incident shows "clear negligence" and "a disregard for guest safety."

"The video is horrifying to watch. One second the plaintiffs are standing around enjoying a lovely work event at the rooftop restaurant and then suddenly the flames shoot up, and they are on fire. The physical and emotional wounds from this will last a lifetime. The recovery will be very difficult," said Cavanagh. "There was clear negligence as well as disregard for the safety of the guests. It is obvious the employee was not properly trained or supervised to work around an open flame which is an inherently dangerous situation and put guests at risk of serious harm."

"This is a well-known restaurant attracting guests from around the United States who visit Navy Pier. It hosts many private functions like this one. Guests have a right to expect that the defendants operate the facility in a safe manner," said McCallister. "Instead, they unnecessarily poured a combustible accelerant on the open flame creating a fireball."

What's next:

The plaintiffs are seeking damages for physical and emotional harm.

FOX 32 has reached out to the restaurant group for comment, and we're waiting to hear back.