Diners at a suburban Melbourne restaurant had an abrupt end to their dinners tonight when a gas bottle exploded, injuring several staff members.
Tao's Restaurant in the north-eastern suburb of Bulleen was closed after a propane gas bottle exploded about 7.30pm (AEDT) while staff were lighting a stove in the restaurant kitchen.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said four staff members were taken to hospital in a stable condition with burns to their upper bodies.
Fire investigators are at the restaurant determining the cause of the explosion.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade Commander Mick Swift said staff were lucky to have received superficial burns, because there was potential for serious injury.
The restaurant will be visited by a council health inspector on Monday before it is allowed to reopen, a restaurant employee said.