Gas Stove Explosion Burns Diner Employee

A restaurant employee was injured Saturday when a gas stove in the Route 57 establishment exploded and caused a fire, police said. 

The Hackettstown Fire Department, Hackettstown Rescue Squad, and police responded to the gas emergency call at the River Star Diner at about 6:40 p.m.

When officers arrived, the fire had been put out and the gas shut off. A male employee told police he had turned on the gas stove and it exploded, causing superficial burns to his arms, face and hair. 

After being treated at the diner, the employee was transported to Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, police said.