A mother was flown to hospital by helicopter with severe burns all over her body after a deep fryer exploded while she was working in a fish and chip shop.
Emergency services received numerous reports of a gas explosion at KI Fish and Chips in Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island at around 5pm on Saturday.
The force of the explosion tore away large parts of the shop front and a fire broke out inside.
Sheena Childs was found at the scene with burns on her face, hands and thighs.
She was admitted to the local hospital and then flown to Adelaide for further treatment, where she remains in hospital.
The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, but it is believed that Mrs Childs had set fire to the fryer shortly beforehand.
Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly described the scene as a war zone.
Pictures from the scene showed that the windows at the front of the store were broken and the front door was ripped off its hinges.
Sheena Childs (pictured) is in hospital with burns to her face, hands and thighs after suffering a horrific incident while working at her local fish and chip shop.
The explosion was so powerful that it shattered the front window of the KI Fish and Chips on Kangaroo Island and ripped the entrance door off its hinges (pictured).
“It was absolutely devastating but we are grateful there were no fatalities,” Cr Pengilly told Seven News.
“The building can be repaired, but human lives cannot… if they are lost.”
He hopes that Mrs Childs makes a full recovery.
“The family is highly respected in the community,” Cr Pengilly said.
The owner of the fish and chip shop, who also runs several other businesses on Kangaroo Island, was devastated by the explosion.
He vowed to support Mrs Childs and her young family.
The windows at the front of the store were smashed and the front door was ripped off its hinges.
Around 25 firefighters were called to the scene to extinguish the fire.
According to initial estimates, the damage amounts to over 40,000 US dollars.
“This number could rise once fire inspectors arrive on site and determine the exact cause of the explosion,” the CFS said in a statement.
