I am sure that nearly all long time served electricians have seen a couple of Bangs, Flashes and burnt things that they have caused themselves (myself included).
Having a bit of a mistake that writes off a light fitting is not "A BIG MISTAKE on a job"
If I were to total up the costs all of my furk ups from an apprentice to now it would probably buy me a new small car for the wife.
It sounds like the guys at work just laughed it off as a rookie mistake, partly to save your dignity a little and partly because they have all done almost the exact same thing at some point in the past.
Expect going forward the odd dig like, oh don't let him put the covers on that row of lights, remember the Sheffield job? we don't want them all going up in flames!!!
Learn from your mistake, don't worry about it, bet you wont make the same mistake again!
Quick straw poll,
any electrician who has worked for 2 years or more,
ever made a mistake on a job that wrote off a fitting, caused a big bang or burnt a cable etc.
thumbs up for yes I have,
Thumbs Down for No, I have been perfect and never foooked up.
p.s. I am not worried about my rating, if i get 40 thumbs down it will be enlightening but wont offend me.