On Wednesday morning, a sudden explosion rocked a KFC outlet in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, leaving two contracted technicians with burn injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, according to senior leadership at the fast-food chain. Christopher Powell, the chain’s Operations Manager, shared official details of the incident in a public statement released shortly after the emergency unfolded.
Powell emphasized from the outset that the company’s top priority has not shifted: protecting the health and safety of every employee, customer, and person present at the restaurant at the time of the blast. “Earlier today there was an incident involving an explosion at one of our KFC restaurants in downtown Kingston. Our first concern is, and continues to be, the safety and wellbeing of our team members, customers and everyone who is on site,” Powell said in the statement.
He confirmed that the two injured people, both technicians working at the location, were quickly transported for medical care and are currently receiving treatment for their burn injuries. As of the latest update from the company, none of the injuries are categorized as life-threatening, a small relief amid the unexpected emergency. No other people at the restaurant were reported hurt in the blast as of Wednesday’s initial statement.
Following the explosion, the KFC team on the ground moved rapidly to secure the entire premises, coordinate with local first responders, and roll out the chain’s pre-planned emergency response protocols to contain any further risk to people in the area. “Our team took immediate steps to secure the location and ensure that the necessary emergency response and support were provided,” Powell added.
The international fast-food chain says it will continue to center its efforts on supporting the two injured technicians through their recovery process, while also launching a full review of safety protocols to prevent similar incidents at its locations moving forward. The restaurant remains secured as initial assessments of the damage and cause of the explosion get underway. The company has indicated it will release additional public updates as more details about the incident emerge.