LIVINGSTON, Texas – Three women are recovering from severe injuries after the floor collapsed at the fast food restaurant where they worked.
The victims were working at a Church's Chicken in Livingston on Monday when the floor suddenly gave way.
"They fell in and all the grease come out of the hot cookers and started pouring on them," said customer Gary Bryant, who witnessed the accident. "If you can imagine hell, that's what they were in."
Bryant jumped over the counter and helped rescue two of the women. A third employee managed to climb out. All three were taken to the hospital with severe burns.
Firefighters responded to the restaurant and put out a fire caused by the spilled grease.
One of the victims, Erica Acevedo, has burns on much of her body. Her brother-in-law says he is grateful that Bryant stepped in.
"A lot of people would just run in fear," said Roy Roose. "For him to go over that table, and go into that hole and pull them, that's just amazing."
Family and friends have set up an account to raise money for the three victims and their families.
According to the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, OSHA is investigating what caused the floor collapse.
Church's Chicken released a statement that said its Church's Partners Foundation would provide immediate assistance to the victims and their families. The company said it is working with its franchisee and investigators to determine the cause of the accident.