UPDATE 9.30AM: THE cause of a kitchen explosion at a newly opened Airlie Beach restaurant has been revealed.  

Whitsunday police Sergeant Gary Hiles said investigations into the explosion at The Red Plate restaurant on Sunday found it was caused by a gas leak.

Sgt Hiles said there were five staff working in the restaurant at the time, two of who were in the kitchen.

The two women in the kitchen, aged 27 and 51, were taken to Proserpine Hospital with superficial burns.

The 27-year-old received burns to her head, lower limbs and airway.

The 51-year-old woman suffered burns to her lower abdomen and legs.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said both women were discharged from hospital late on Monday.

The force of the explosion caused the kitchen ceiling to collapse and owners of a neighbouring café said they felt the building shake.

The Red Plate remains closed, however The Treehouse Café reopened on Monday and Cool La La will reopen Tuesday at 5.30pm.

An explosion at the restaurant cause the kitchen roof to collapse.

An explosion at the restaurant cause the kitchen roof to collapse. Laura Thomas

UPDATE 3.20PM, SEPTEMBER 13 : BARELY a week after opening its doors, Airlie Beach restaurant The Red Plate has been damaged in a kitchen explosion that injured two women.

Paramedics, police, firefighters and Ergon staff were at the scene this afternoon after the explosion about 12.49pm.

The women, aged in their 20s and 40s, suffered burns in the incident and were taken to Proserpine Hospital where are remain in a stable condition.

Whitsunday Police Sergeant Gary Hiles said it was unknown how many patrons were inside the restaurant at the time, but it was believed none were injured.

Two woman suffered burns following a gas explosion at new Airlie Beach restaurant Red Plate on September 13, 2020.

Two woman suffered burns following a gas explosion at new Airlie Beach restaurant Red Plate on September 13, 2020. Elyse Wurm

Sgt Hiles said he did not believe the women’s injuries were life-threatening.

A lifeguard initially assisted after the explosion but the exact cause was still being determined, he said.

“My understanding is there’s some damaged to the roof area,” Sgt Hiles said.

“I know there are several inquiries to do with gas.”

The dining section of the restaurant appears to be undamaged.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said a woman in her 20s received burns to her head, lower limbs and airway.

A woman in her 40s suffered burns to her lower abdomen and legs.

Police investigations are ongoing.

The Red Plate opened its doors on Thursday, September 3, with a plan to serve up Korean cuisine to diners.

Two woman suffered burns following a gas explosion at new Airlie Beach restaurant Red Plate on September 13, 2020.

Two woman suffered burns following a gas explosion at new Airlie Beach restaurant Red Plate on September 13, 2020. Elyse Wurm

EARLIER: TWO women have been taken to hospital with burns following a suspected gas explosion at an Airlie Beach restaurant.

The incident occurred at 12.49pm Sunday at a venue on Shute Harbour Rd.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said a woman in her 20s received burns to her head, lower limbs and airway.

A woman in her 40s suffered burns to her lower abdomen and legs.

Both were taken to Proserpine Hospital and are in a stable condition.

More details still to come.

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