The Restaurant Associates Limited (RAL), the operators of Burger King Jamaica, has confirmed that all three employees who sustained visible injuries in Wednesday’s gas explosion at its New Kingston outlet are in stable condition.

The franchise owner of Burger King Jamaica said in a release on Friday that it continues to “closely monitor” the condition of the employees.

“One of the affected team members was discharged Wednesday afternoon after receiving treatment, while two others who sustained burns were hospitalised overnight at KPH (Kingston Public Hospital). Yesterday evening one employee who had been previously admitted to KPH was transferred to the Tony Thwaites Wing at UWI,” RAL further revealed.

In the interim, the company said it has kept in constant communication with the medical teams attending to the injured employees through its representatives, to ensure they receive the best possible care. Moreover, RAL shared that it stands ready to facilitate any necessary medical transfers should any of the victims require advanced treatment both locally and internationally.

“Our priority is to support their full recovery as swiftly and safely as possible,” the Burger King franchisee stated.

Grateful

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the public for the outpouring of support, well wishes, and concern for the victims and their families during this difficult time. Your compassion and encouragement mean a lot to the entire RAL and Burger King Jamaica family,” the company added.

In the meantime, RAL has expressed its “deepest thanks” to the first responders who swiftly arrived on the scene, noting that they “acted with professionalism and urgency”.

It also thanked members of the public who immediately assisted in caring for the injured employees and transported them to the hospital. On this note, the fast-food operator hopes “to meet with the good Samaritan who promptly transported the injured employee to the nearest hospital.

“We are truly grateful for their assistance and would like to show our appreciation for their efforts,” RAL said.

Counselling, collaboration and commitment to safety

“We also recognise that the impact of this unfortunate incident is not limited to physical injuries. RAL is committed to addressing the emotional well-being of the affected employees and witnesses. The company has arranged professional counselling services for those directly involved in the incident, as well as for any staff who may have been emotionally impacted,” the company continued.

The quick-service restaurant operator pointed out its continued collaboration with the authorities who are investigating the explosion, adding that it plans to implement any additional measures necessary to prevent such incidents in the future.

“Our goal is to ensure that the highest safety standards are enforced across all locations.  RAL remains committed to the safety and well-being of our employees and customers. We will continue to provide updates as needed,” it said.