2 Injured in Kitchen Explosion at Metro Detroit Restaurant

Updated. FRASER, MI — Two kitchen workers sustained minor burns to their forearms Wednesday when a grill exploded at the Mexican-themed El Charro restaurant on the 16700 block of 14 Mile Road near Garfield, authorities said.

The injured employees were trying to light the pilot on the stove when the explosion occurred, Lt. Mike Pettyes of the Fraser Public Safety Department told The Macomb Daily. The pilot had been turned off the night before, and gas had been building up, causing the explosion about 10:30 a.m.

Authorities don't know why the fire suppression system failed. Firefighters tried to use a fire extinguisher to control the fast-spreading blaze, fueled by kitchen grease, before realizing they were dealing with a gas fire and cut off the gas supply. The fire was contained to the kitchen area.

The restaurant sustained about $10,000 damage and will be closed at least through Thursday.

The two workers, a man and a woman, initially refused medical attention, but were later taken to Concetra Urgent Care for treatment.