http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2326393 ... chip-store wrote:The owner of the Milton St Fish and Chip Cafe in Nelson was badly burned in a dramatic gas explosion at the takeaway store this morning.

The front window and rear wall of the shop were blown out in the blast, which happened about 9.30am, and debris and glass from the shop were strewn across Milton St.

"It was like a nuclear bomb," said Milton St Store worker Miranda Radcliffe.

She had been filling up a freezer in the dairy next to the fish and chip shop and felt the effect of the blast.

"The whole shop lifted and sunk back down."

When she rushed outside she saw the owner of the fish and chip shop, Ron Clark, walking out of the shop dazed.

He is understood to have suffered extensive facial burns in the explosion and was taken to Nelson hospital in a serious condition.

Nelson Fire Service station officer Kevin O'Connor said firefighters believed the damage to the fish and chip shop was caused by a gas explosion.

There was also a small amount of fire damage.

He said the explosion had also lifted the fish and chip shop's roof.