The patient, who is in her 30’s, was undergoing an operation on her cervix. During the surgery, she passed gas, and it ignited the irradiation of the laser that was being used.

The woman sustained burn injuries to most of her body, including her waist and legs, the Strait Times reports.

A committee of experts not affiliated with the hospital reviewed the case and released their report on Oct. 28. According to the experts, there were no flammable materials present in the operation room at the time, and the equipment did not malfunction.

The Straits Times obtained the report which said:

“When the patient’s intestinal gas leaked into the space of the operation (room), it ignited with the irradiation of the laser, and the burning spread, eventually reaching the surgical drape and causing the fire.”

The incident was initially reported in the Asahi Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper.