after a poisonous gas scare put all of its staff in hospital.

But the eight employees of Kentucky Fried Chicken on Burnaby Street were released after doctors examined them, an Emergency Department official said.

KFC general manager Ms Mya Fitzsimmons said the restaurant shut down about 2 p.m. on Wednesday. One female employee had fainted near the deep-fat fryer and another had complained of being dizzy.

She said the rest of the staff were taken to hospital for examination as a precautionary measure.

Chief health inspector Mr. Patrick Mayers said they were treated for inhalation of poisonous gas fumes and discharged.

A thorough check of the restaurant was conducted, he said, adding the incident was "a bit unusual'' for Bermuda.

Mrs. Fitzsimmons said an exhaust extractor fan in the kitchen was not working and as a result staff inhaled cooking gas as they leaned over the fryers.

She said the fan had since been repaired and the restaurant opened its doors yesterday at its usual 11 a.m. opening time.

Customers would not have been affected by the malfunction, she said.