The owner of a newly opened east Belfast restaurant, damaged in a gas explosion which left one employee with serious injuries, has said he has lost everything as a result of the incident.
Jewel Sayed said ten years of savings were invested in the Clay Oven in Ballyhackamore, which had opened its doors just three days before a gas explosion shook the building, leaving it structurally damaged and causing serious burns to the right arm of chef Arafat Khan.
Mr Khan remains in hospital being treated for third degree burns following the explosion that ripped through the building with such force it lifted part of the roof and blew windows out into the street.
Belfast City Council are currently carrying out an investigation into the cause of the blast.
Mr Sayed told The Irish News: "There is damage to the roof and to the front wall, it is lucky there were no customers in the restaurant at the time, it could have been much worse.
"We invested ten years of savings in the restaurant, we've no idea if we will be able to open again, it's very bad, we've lost everything."
He said there may have been a problem with the gas supply.
Chef Arafat Khan (31) said he had twice raised concerns about the Tandoor oven he was working with. He was preparing for the night's service and had just lit the oven when the explosion took place just before 4pm last Wednesday.
Mr Khan said he has been having flashbacks since the explosion and doesn't know if he will ever be able to work in a kitchen again.
"I was just running for my life, it was really scary, I can't explain it, "Mr Khan said.
