The operators of a Darwin restaurant, where five patrons were injured in a gas "fireball", have been charged with six breaches of work, health and safety laws.
On September 7, butane gas under a table at the Little Miss Korea restaurant ignited injuring the five men. A sixth man was unhurt.
They had been cooking their food on a barbeque grill unit using coal. The grill was also fitted with the butane gas canister, but it was not being used at the time.
The canister was fitted with a vent, designed to release the butane to prevent an explosion if it became over-pressured.
NT WorkSafe said it would allege that the close proximity of the hot coals to the butane gas canister caused the canister to overpressure, activating the valve and releasing the gas.
The build-up of butane gas ignited, causing the injuries.
NT WorkSafe said it would be alleged despite clear warnings on the canister, none of Little Miss Korea's safety information provided advice or instruction to staff on the gas cartridge compartment of the barbecue grill unit or the use of butane gas canisters.
The grill unit lacked evidence it had been certified for use in Australia.
The family partnership faces six reckless conduct charges for failing to comply with their primary duty of care to ensure the safety of their patrons.
If found guilty of all charges, they could face maximum combined fines of up to $18 million.
The matter is listed for mention in Darwin Local Court on January 31.
At the time of the incident, one of those hurt suffered burns to 40 per cent of his body from what authorities described as a "violent eruption" and a "fireball".
"It was a very quick and large outburst of flames that's erupted outwards from that table and underneath where the charcoal cooker is," Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Joshua Fisher said.
"It would have lasted less than 10 seconds."
