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A woman who works in a building close to the Burger King outlet in New Kingston was moved to tears as she described the condition of the injured staff who were caught in an explosion yesterday.

She told THE STAR that she was on her way to make a purchase at another restaurant when she heard a loud 'boom' and felt a jolt similar to that of an earthquake.

"Mi a wonder a what really happen. Next ting mi see di staff dem a come out burn up. The supervisor burn up the most and her skin a drop off a har. Mi feel it to mi heart because mi know say it must a hurt har. Mi and all a di workers dem live good so till when mi go there, mi don't join line. Mi can't believe dis really happen," she said.

Senior Superintendent at the Jamaica Fire Brigade Patrick Gooden said the brigade responded to the call at 10:36 a.m. that the building at 61 Knutsford Boulevard was on fire.

"On arrival of the unit, we discovered that there was an incident that resulted in six persons being transferred to the hospital before the arrival of the brigade," he said. "Observation revealed that extensive damage has been done to the building as a result of the explosion."

Another woman stated that she watched helplessly as one of the injured workers pleaded for water before being rushed to hospital.

"The skin off her hands were burned so bad that yuh could see only white on a part of them, and she a say she thirsty bad and a say she want water. Nice girl mi a tell yuh, enuh. Imagine a work dem come and this happen. The next youth get burn but him never so bad, but the supervisor and the other female look a way, mi nah tell nuh lie," she said.

In a release, Restaurant Associates Limited, operators of Burger King in Jamaica, said that following a routine delivery of gas supplies to the location, employees reported a strong odour of gas, which was subsequently reported to the service provider.

"The restaurant was promptly closed to follow the proper protocol, and the service provider returned to the site to address the issue. Before leaving the location, the supplier confirmed it was safe to proceed with business. Shortly thereafter, there was an explosion. Three of six employees showed visible signs of injuries, however all were taken to hospital for assessment and treatment," the release said.

As first responders processed the scene, a few persons were overheard saying that New Kingston had its own mini experience of the 9/11 attacks in the USA.

"God time deh near because recently we a get bare earthquake, a bag a killing, now dis. Mi just glad no one never dead. People car get mash up but dat can buy back," one man said.