7 injured in suspected gas explosion in New Taipei

Taipei, Oct. 3 (CNA) Seven people were injured in a suspected gas explosion at a self-service restaurant in New Taipei's Luzhou District on Friday evening, according to the city's fire department.

The Fire Department said it received a report at around 7:30 p.m. of an explosion and subsequent fire on Chang'an Street.

The blaze was quickly brought under control and seven people were taken to hospital with injuries, all conscious.

Chen Tsung-yueh (陳崇岳), chief of the New Taipei City Fire Department, said the injured included three restaurant employees, three customers, and one worker from a gas company.

Their conditions were stable, although the gas company worker sustained more serious second-degree burns, he said.

An initial investigation indicated that gas used inside the restaurant may have triggered the blast and fire.

The blaze, which burned an area of about 10 square meters, was extinguished within 15 minutes.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.