UAE: 2 Dead in a Gas Cylinder Explosion in Abu Dhabi; Another blast hit KFC and Hardees

 2 people were killed and several others were injured on Monday in a gas cylinder blast in a   fast food restaurant in a building on Rashid Bin Saeed Street in Abu Dhabi on Monday morning .

Another blast just after hours hit KFC and Hardees restaurants on the city’s Rashid bin Saeed Street and other retail outlets were also damaged.

Rapid intervention teams from the Emergency and Public Safety Department from Abu Dhabi Police are working to carry out a comprehensive checkup of the building and neighbouring buildings to ensure that there are no further injuries, and to ensure residents’ safety.

Abu Dhabi police said the explosion caused several minor and moderate injuries, and residents of the building and surrounding areas were evacuated.

Unfortunately, two victims lost their lives – one near the site of the incident, and a second passer-by who was hit by debris. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, God rest their souls.

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) August 31, 2020

Photos published on social and local media showed extensive damage to the two restaurants with a white plume of smoke rising from the ground floor of the building.

“Teams are evacuating residents from the building safely, and cordoning off the area to ensure people’s safety,” state news agency WAM reported.

An explosion in a KFC restaurant in Abu Dhabi. It coincided with the first direct flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/Ig9VfcEx76

— Middle East in the Field (@EastFild) August 31, 2020

“The relevant departments are dealing with the situation directly. We urge people to avoid spreading rumors, and to use official news sources,” it added.