A young mother suffered severe burns to her face and arms when she was caught in the line of fire of a deep fryer that exploded at her workplace.

Sheena Childs had just lit the equipment at Ki Fish and Chips on Kangaroo Island on Saturday when it burst into flames. The force of the gas explosion was so strong that the shop’s windows were blown out. Emergency services rushed to the scene just after 5pm and 25 firefighters were reportedly needed to contain the flames.

The mayor of Kangaroo Island in southern Australia, Michael Pengilly, compared the scene to a “war zone”.

“The building can be repaired but human lives cannot… if they are lost,” Pengilly told 7News. “(It was) absolutely devastating.”

Paramedics provided immediate medical assistance to the mother before she was taken to an Adelaide hospital.

Damage to business likely to cost tens of thousands

It is unclear what caused the fryer to explode, but the sudden explosion not only caused serious injuries to the worker, but was also costly to the “devastated” owner. Initial estimates suggest that repair costs for the damage to the property will likely run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Pengilly sent his best wishes to the mother, who is still in hospital. “Hopefully she will make a full recovery,” he said. “The family is very well respected in the community.”

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