A man in southern Spain has been arrested after allegedly setting a cafe on fire because staff told him they had run out of mayonnaise.
The incident happened on August 20 at Las Postas Cafe-Bar in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville. According to reports, the 50-year-old customer visited the cafe with his son and ordered two sandwiches. When he asked for mayonnaise, staff informed him they didn’t have any, or ketchup.
Surveillance cameras captured the man leaving the restaurant and walking to a nearby petrol station. Minutes later, he returned carrying a 1.5-liter bottle filled with gasoline and again asked if the cafe had any mayo. After receiving the same answer, he poured the fuel across the bar and lit it on fire.
Employees save cafe after man allegedly starts fire in mayo rage
The restaurant was almost full at the time, forcing customers and staff to flee as flames spread. One quick-thinking waiter grabbed a fire extinguisher, containing the blaze before it caused major damage.
In the process, the man accidentally set his own hand on fire while escaping the scene. He was arrested shortly afterward by local police after a waiter chased him down.
José Antonio Caballero, owner of Las Postas Cafe-Bar, described the incident as “surreal,” telling local press:
“The bar didn’t have a kitchen and the sandwiches came ready-prepared. We didn’t have sauces. At that moment he walked to the garage opposite, returned with a bottle of petrol, and asked the waiter: ‘Are you sure there’s no mayonnaise?’ Without waiting for a reply, he poured it out and set it on fire. There’s no explanation. It was awful.”
No customers were injured, though the blaze caused an estimated $9,500 in damages. Authorities confirmed the arrested man is now awaiting sentencing.
