A restaurant explosion in western Sydney resulted in the death of a young Nepali worker after he suffered severe burns while working at On Sunset Lebanese Restaurant in Parramatta. The incident occurred on June 21, 2022, and raised serious questions about workplace safety and the handling of flammable cleaning products in commercial kitchens.
The worker was identified in subsequent reporting and legal proceedings as Prajjwol Sama Shrestha, a Nepali international student. He was initially reported to be in critical condition after the explosion but died in hospital in July 2022.
What Happened at the Lebanese Restaurant?
The explosion occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on June 21, 2022, inside On Sunset Lebanese Restaurant on River Road West in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
The restaurant was occupied by customers when the incident happened. According to emergency service reports, a cleaning product used near the restaurant's bar area caught fire, causing a significant explosion and fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Andrew Shurety explained that a flammable liquid had been applied to the floor along the length of the bar. The substance reportedly ignited when a dishwasher was switched on.
The resulting fire spread through the bar area, creating an emergency that required the evacuation of approximately 160 people from the premises.
Prajjwol Sama Shrestha Suffered Severe Burns
Prajjwol Sama Shrestha, a 23-year-old restaurant employee at the time of the incident, was standing near the explosion when the fire erupted.
He suffered severe burns to approximately 30 percent of his body, affecting his arms, face, and chest. His injuries were serious enough to threaten his airway and required urgent medical treatment.
His colleagues reportedly helped him by holding him under the restaurant's automatic water sprinklers while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene. He was placed in an induced coma before being transported to Concord Hospital for further treatment.
The Worker Died Two Weeks After the Explosion
Despite receiving hospital treatment, Shrestha died from his injuries in early July 2022. New South Wales Police confirmed his death, and subsequent legal proceedings identified July 6, 2022, as the date of his death.
His death was particularly devastating for his family and the Nepali community. Shrestha had been living in Australia as an international student while working in the hospitality industry.
His case later became the subject of legal proceedings involving his employment at On Sunset Pty Ltd and the circumstances surrounding the fatal workplace incident.
What Caused the Explosion?
Initial findings indicated that the explosion was connected to a flammable cleaning liquid used on the restaurant floor.
According to Fire and Rescue NSW, the liquid had been applied along the bar area and reportedly ignited when the dishwasher was activated.
The incident highlighted the potential dangers of using flammable cleaning substances in commercial premises, particularly when ignition sources such as electrical equipment are nearby.
However, the initial explanation of how the fire started should be distinguished from a final determination of legal responsibility. The precise circumstances of the cleaning operation and workplace safety arrangements required further investigation.
Police and SafeWork NSW Investigated the Incident
Fire investigators and forensic police attended the restaurant following the explosion. New South Wales Police stated that the incident was not being treated as suspicious.
A report was to be prepared for the information of the Coroner, while SafeWork NSW was notified and began investigating the workplace incident.
SafeWork NSW confirmed that it was examining the circumstances surrounding the worker's serious injuries but declined to provide further details while the investigation was ongoing.
The investigation was important because it involved more than the immediate cause of the fire. Workplace safety procedures, the handling of hazardous cleaning products, and the potential exposure of employees to ignition sources were also relevant issues.
Legal Proceedings Following Prajjwol's Death
The circumstances of the fatal incident later appeared in proceedings before the New South Wales Personal Injury Commission.
In 2025, the commission published a decision in Shrestha v On Sunset Pty Ltd, identifying Prajjwol Sama Shrestha as the deceased worker employed by On Sunset Pty Ltd.
The decision confirmed that he suffered injuries in the explosion on June 21, 2022, and subsequently died as a result of those injuries on July 6, 2022.
The proceedings concerned workplace injury and compensation issues involving his family and the relevant parties. They provide an additional legal record of the incident and its consequences.
A Tragic Reminder of Workplace Safety Risks
The explosion at On Sunset Lebanese Restaurant demonstrates how a workplace incident involving cleaning chemicals can have devastating consequences.
Prajjwol Sama Shrestha was a young international student working in the hospitality industry. What began as an ordinary work shift ended in severe injuries and, ultimately, his death.
The incident also highlights the importance of proper chemical handling, clear workplace safety procedures, and preventing contact between flammable substances and potential ignition sources.
For hospitality businesses, safety measures involving cleaning products and commercial kitchen equipment are essential. The consequences of overlooking these risks can extend far beyond property damage.
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