Lincolnshire woman scarred by rogue flare at Liam Gallagher gig

A Boston woman has spoken of the horrifying moment a flare flew down her top, setting her bra and shirt on fire at a Liam Gallagher gig in Sheffield.

She has now been left with burns on her chest and arm and scarring across her breasts.

Stacey Andrew, 27, and her partner Callum Mutton, 21, were both injured in the incident during one of the support acts DMA’s, at Liam Gallagher’s gig at the Fly DSA Arena at around 9pm on Monday, November 18.

She told Lincolnshire Reporter that boys were setting off flares to the right of them when a ball of flames spun into the couple’s direction.

Stacey felt something hit her head, and her partner also had his hand on his face as it caught him underneath the eye. She said it fell down her top and it set her bra and top on fire.

A man ripped her top off and helped to put the fire out, but she was left with painful burns across her chest area and scarring.

Callum was also injured when the flare hit him, suffering a blister and swelling underneath his eye.

Dominic Stokes, Head of SIVLive who run the FlyDSA Arena, issued an apology and said the the actions of those responsible “cannot be condoned and they should be held accountable for their actions”.

In a statement, he added that it is currently “reviewing the procedures we have in place in dealing with these items”.

Stacey had her bandages changed at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston on Tuesday.

She was wrapped in bandages on her way back from the burn clinic at the hospital in Nottingham when she spoke to Lincolnshire Reporter about the scary experience on Wednesday, saying she still felt “rubbish and in pain”.

Stacey, who is due to return to hospital in Nottingham for more treatment next week, said: “I’m going to have scarring across the breast area because the flare fell down my shirt after it hit my head.

“At the minute I’ve been wrapped up in bandages to stop the air getting to the burn. Nottingham hospital has put bandages on my skin that draw out the dead skin any possible infection that may happen.”

She added: “Bags were checked and there were metal detector searches, but I think they should also check people’s pockets.”

Venue apology

Stacey said the venue apologised at the time and she filled out an accident report. The venue offered them a taxi, but as her partner had driven them to the gig, they went in his car to the hospital in Sheffield.

She added that her partner has since tried to contact the venue via email and Facebook, but at the time of writing they hadn’t heard anything formal back yet.

Dominic Stokes, Head of SIVLive who run the FlyDSA Arena, said: “We are extremely sorry that two customers were injured by the actions of a fellow concert goer whilst attending a show at the arena. The irresponsible behaviour of the concert goer who threw the flare, along with any other people within their party who were aware of the possibility of their actions, cannot be condoned and they should be held accountable for their actions.

“The customers were treated at the venue by an on duty paramedic and advised to attend hospital, which they were taken to by taxi from the venue on the night. We have contacted them through social media to speak with directly.

“The use of smoke bombs and flares at Arena events is new but becoming an increasing challenge for all Arena’s, particularly as to the lengths people will take to get these into stadia and arenas.

“We are a member of the National Arena Association and our security provision, our processes and procedures are in line with fellow members of the association both inside and outside of the venue.  However as you would expect and as with any incident that involves any of our customers, we are currently reviewing the procedures we have in place in dealing with these items.

“I am also aware from a minority of comments on social media that our processes for dealing with this type of prohibited item is being linked with our counter terrorism strategies. I can assure all our customers that our work with the relevant partners &  agencies in this particular area has been commended and the seen and unseen actions that we take in this area mean the wellbeing of our customers is front and centre of everything we do.”

South Yorkshire Police are aware of the incident and a spokesperson for the force said: “
It is reported that a 21-year-old man and a woman he was with, whose age is not known, were in the audience of a concert and were allegedly hit by a flare that was thrown from behind them.

“They both suffered burns and received treatment at the Northern General Hospital before returning home to recover. Arrangements will be made for both injured parties to be interviewed but as they live outside of our force area we can’t say when this will be.”

Stacey is a big Liam Gallagher fan, but due to the incident she didn’t get to see him and only saw the support acts.

She added: “I’m still going to go to gigs in the future, but stand further back. I never got to see Liam Gallagher and I’d still like to see him, but I’m going to have to save up again.”