Burger King explosion caused by gas leak; at least six injured — Fire Brigade
KINGSTON, Jamaica — An explosion at a Burger King outlet in New Kingston on Wednesday morning is believed to have been caused by a gas leak which was reported by staff members on their arrival to work.
The update was provided by Jamaica Fire Brigade Commissioner, Stewart Beckford while addressing the media Wednesday afternoon.
According to Commissioner Beckford, he received calls regarding an explosion at the Burger King in New Kingston at approximately 10:36 am.
“Upon our arrival, we discovered that the building was extensively damaged, windows blown out, doors blown out,” he said.
Commissioner Beckford said he also received information that approximately six members of staff would have sustained some level of injury. They were taken to hospital where they are still being treated. Their condition is still unknown at this time.
The fire commissioner said the fire was triggered by a gas leak which had been reported by staff members when they arrived at work Wednesday morning.
“What triggered this incident this morning is that the staff came to work. They discovered that there was a gas leak and so they called the supplier to come and look at the cylinder. The supplier came in and recognised that there was a defective regulator,” Commissioner Beckford explained.
He said the regulator was changed and the employees were then given the green light to resume their duties.
“They went back into the store and of course resumed their activities, 10 minutes after that there was a massive explosion,” Commissioner Beckford said.
“It is very unfortunate because there is always a protocol to be observed. The staff did what they needed to have done based on the information we have…and so we are hoping and praying that their conditions are not too serious or life threatening,” he continued.
Commissioner Beckford further noted that staff members at Pizza Hut were also impacted by the fumes from the explosion. He said at least two of them fainted and were treated on location.
“Their staff members would have experienced some amount of challenges. I think I was advised that at least one or two would have fainted based on the fumes that would have traversed their property. They have been treated on location,” he said.
The commissioner said the other facilities were evacuated out of an abundance of caution but should be able to reopen once they have finished their investigations.
