A PASTRY chef is being treated in hospital for burns after a gas explosion at a restaurant.

Ed Stanley, aged 28, was working in the kitchen at Suzanna’s in Little Scotland, Blackrod, when the blast happened at about 3.45pm on Sunday.

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said Mr Stanley suffered substantial burns to both his arms, chest, head and neck and was airlifted to Wythenshawe Hospital.

It is not yet known what caused the gas explosion. A spokesman for Bolton Council said they were aware of the incident and would be investigating.

Restaurant owner Suzanna Young described Mr Stanley’s condition at Wythenshawe Hospital as “comfortable”.

The mother-of-four, who opened the restaurant in September, 2011, said: “All the staff were excellent. They called the emergency services straight away. Everyone worked as a team, the ambulance and the fire brigade were brilliant.

“We had the gas company here this morning, so the gas is safe. They don’t have a clue why it happened. I spoke to the hospital on Sunday night. Ed was comfortable. Everybody else was fine.”

She added that the explosion, which did not cause a fire, led to slight damage to the ceiling.

A woman, who works at the restaurant as a cook, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with arm and facial injuries and was discharged later that evening.

Gareth Peters, crew commander at Horwich Fire Station, said they were called to the scene with another crew from Hindley.

The crew were at the scene for three hours while they isolated the gas and made the area safe.

The restaurant closed following the incident, but was back open for business at 2pm yesterday.