Spanish Man Sets Café on Fire After Staff Refuse to Add Mayonnaise to His Sandwich

A 50-year-old man has been arrested in Spain after allegedly setting a café ablaze because staff refused to add mayonnaise to his sandwich.

The bizarre incident occurred on Wednesday evening in Los Palacios y Villafranca, a town in the Sevilla province. CCTV footage from the scene shows the suspect pouring petrol across the café’s bar area before setting it alight—triggering panic among customers, including children and the elderly, who fled for safety.

In a twist of irony, the man reportedly set his own hand on fire during the act and was seen frantically trying to extinguish the flames. Authorities later confirmed that he had left the café after being denied mayonnaise not once, but twice, then went to a nearby petrol station to purchase 1.5 litres of fuel, which he used to carry out the arson attack.

The fire caused an estimated €6,000 to €7,000 in damages.

Jose Antonio Caballero, owner of Las Postas Café-Bar, told Spanish media the situation was “surreal.”

“The man asked for mayonnaise, and two different waiters explained that we don’t have a kitchen the sandwiches come pre-made, and we don’t offer sauces,” Caballero explained.

“He left, came back with a bottle in his hand, asked again if we were sure there was no mayonnaise then suddenly poured the liquid and set it on fire.”

Thankfully, no one was injured apart from the suspect. Police arrived swiftly, arrested the man who is from nearby Córdoba province and took him to a health center for treatment of burns to his left hand. He remains in custody under the Guardia Civil and is expected to appear in court later today, August 22.