NEED TO KNOW
- Five guests are suing Chicago’s Offshore Rooftop after a s’mores station fire that occurred during a corporate offsite
- Four attendees suffered burns, while one was critically injured; all cite emotional trauma and negligence
- Lawsuits allege that the restaurant staff poured accelerant on an open flame, causing a “flashover” captured on security video
Five guests are suing the management company of Chicago’s Offshore Rooftop after a s’mores station fire left several injured during a work party.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the five patrons have filed lawsuits against Maverick Hotels and Restaurants, LLC, after a fire erupted during a private event on Wednesday, Sept. 24, leaving four attendees with burn injuries and all five alleging that they are suffering emotional trauma. The venue’s general manager, Laurent Boisdron, is also named in the suit, with plaintiffs alleging their negligence caused the incident.
Video footage obtained by Cavanagh Sorich Law Group.
Cavanagh Sorich Law Group
Among the injured is 25-year-old Kira Bond, who allegedly sustained severe burns to her face and body and remains hospitalized in critical condition. Another guest, 44-year-old Lisa Segner, claimed to have suffered burns to her abdomen and legs.
Two others — Peter Gianaris and Fernando Ramirez — were treated for less serious burns and claim they were deeply “traumatized” after witnessing their colleagues on fire. The fifth plaintiff, Lisa’s husband, Philip Segner, filed a claim for loss of consortium.
PEOPLE reached out to Offshore Rooftop and did not receive an immediate response.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, filed in Cook County Circuit Court by the plaintiffs’ legal counsel, Cavanagh Sorich Law Group, on October 1 and October 17, the alleged victims were guests at a corporate gathering hosted by investment firm Nuveen when the blaze broke out at a s’mores food station.
Video footage obtained by Cavanagh Sorich Law Group.
Cavanagh Sorich Law Group
The fire reportedly started when a Maverick employee poured a flammable accelerant onto an open flame, triggering a “flashover” that sent flames shooting into the air and igniting several guests. The terrifying moment was captured on restaurant security footage.
In the video, a group of people are standing by the food station when it suddenly combusts, leading to multiple people running doused in flames. Other attendees can be seen running after those on fire and attempting to put them out by aggressively patting them down.
“All the victims have been deeply traumatized—both by being set on fire themselves and by witnessing their coworkers engulfed in flames. The emotional and psychological impact of this incident remains profound and its duration unknown,” representing attorney Timothy J. Cavanagh tells PEOPLE in an emailed statement.
As for next steps medically, Cavanagh said, “All the plaintiffs who sustained physical injuries have been released from the hospital and will continue to follow up with their doctors. Kira Bond will require more intensive outpatient treatment and therapies to treat her burn injuries.”
According to Cavanagh Sorich Law Group attorney Marc McCallister, “Now that the lawsuits have been approved for consolidation, we will move quickly to secure all critical evidence to learn how this happened and who is responsible.”
