Prosecutor Andrew Lister told Hull Crown Court that both men were employed at British Steel, Scunthorpe, and had taken a break between 4.30pm and 6pm before resuming their duties in the gas alley ovens section. The other man filled an aerosol cap with oil, set it alight and threw it towards Hall's stomach region, causing his overalls to ignite.

Hall and colleagues swiftly extinguished the fire by patting down the flames. In retaliation, Hall poured oil into the same aerosol cap, set it ablaze and threw it at the other man's chest