Restaurant blast injures 1

Local authorities in the Jinsong area started inspecting restaurants for potential hazards yesterday, after a gas explosion in a restaurant kitchen injured one in the early hours of Monday morning.

The explosion occurred in Nongguangli, in Jingsong, Chaoyang district. The blast smashed windows of four cars and in some nearby apartments and stores.

The injured person, 29, who was delivering mutton to the restaurant, was sent to Jishuitan Hospital, and is in a stable condition.　

"Apparently, this person ignited a cigarette when entering the restaurant and it resulted in the blast," an anonymous witness told the Global Times yesterday.

"We were sleeping but suddenly awoken by a big noise around 2:20 am yesterday. The wall and windows were shaking, and then the door and windows of my shop were broken," the owner of a shop selling decorative materials, who would not give her name, said yesterday.

According to the Huawei branch of Chaoyang fire brigade, six fire vehicles were sent to the restaurant around 2:30 am. The Beijing Times reported that the preliminary investigation shows that the accident was caused by a liquid gas canister.

Yesterday, the blast site was enclosed by plastic hoardings. After entering from the backyard, the roof, windows and cooking equipment were damaged in the blast which caused a fire afterwards. A red car was still parked in the front of the restaurant, all its windows smashed.

Jinsong residential committee could not be reached for comment yesterday, but they have been involved with compensation claims for those whose property suffered damage, the Beijing Times reported.

The work safety department of Chaoyang district conducted checks of fire control facilities and fire exits in restaurants and markets in the area yesterday, especially those using liquefied gas. Canisters of 15, 20 and 50 kilograms have all been registered.

The Global Times also found that many restaurants and takeouts in that area use liquid gas canisters, some of which were placed only one meter from the heat source without any protective measures.

The Beijing Times reported that there have been at least six explosions in restaurants in the past three months. Smaller restaurants often store several canisters together, which could easily cause chain blasts.

A staff member from the department responsible for the supervision of gas safety from Beijing city administration commission, surnamed Zhang, said that they regularly conduct safety checks together with urban management officials.　

"But some restaurants are temporary or are street vendors, so it's difficult for us to supervise the safe use of gas," Zhang said.