Employee suffers severe burns in pressure cooker accident

A 48-year-old woman suffered severe burns on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, when the top of a pressure cooker became dislodged, spewing hot rice throughout the cafeteria at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Bridgewater.

BRIDGEWATER -- An employee working in the cafeteria at the Sri Venkateswara Temple suffered severe burns when the top of a pressure cooker became dislodged Friday, according to the township police.

A 48-year-old female employee was injured at approximately 5:37 p.m. while working at the temple, which is located on Old Farm Road, police said. She suffered burns to her hand and arm when the top of the pressure cooker became dislodged, spewing hot rice throughout the cafeteria, police said.

The unidentified employee was airlifted to the Saint Barnabus Burn Center in Livingston for treatment, police said.

There is no criminal investigation regarding this incident, police said. Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Bridgewater Health Department were contacted, police said.