Btw before I start we need a #TIFU clan asap

Our family has a tradition of having a huge 4th of July barbecue at my aunt and uncle's house every year. They have a fantastic deck and a huge backyard which makes it the perfect location. Everything was going smoothly this fateful day. The grill was hot and stuffed with sizzling burgers and smokies, people were boozing up and children gleefully running around with sparklers.

Let me introduce my aunt. Aunt Marlene is a vibrant lady, notoriously known for her eccentric fashion choices, but loved by all. One consistent aspect of her look was a flaming red wig, which she wore like a crown. She was pretty proud of it lol...

In one handI had a spatula, the other, my favorite beer, juggling between flipping burgers and sipping my drink. Aunt Marlene was sitting nearby, engaged in an animated conversation with my cousin. All was perfectly normal until...

I miscalculated a burger flip and it landed not on the grill, but instead in my open beer bottle. The splashback sent an unanticipated shower of beer towards Aunt Marlene, specifically towards her prized red wig. This alone was bad enough, except for the fact that Aunt Marlene was enjoying one of the kids sparklers at that very moment.

In a split second that seemed to pass in slowmo, I watched in wideeyed horror as the sparkler set the alcohol soaked wig on fire. Aunt Marlene, bless her soul, didn't realize it immediately, assuming the gasps and screams were from the children enjoying their games.

It was only when my brother, quick on his feet and perhaps waiting for a moment just like this, dashed over with a bucket of water and unceremoniously doused Aunt Marlene, that she realized her crown was aflame. Her high pitched squeal haunts me even now.

Luckily, Aunt Marlene was not hurt, the fire had only singed a bit of her beloved wig. The rest of the night was spent in between apologies, laughter, and the most embarrassing moments of my life as I stood soaking wet alongside Aunt Marlene after my brother splashed us both.

TLDR I splashed beer on my aunt's wig, which caught fire from a sparkler she was holding. Resulting in creating a family legend at the expense of my dignity.