Four young girls suffered potentially life changing injuries after a suspected explosion at a burger bar on Halloween.
The 12-year-olds were burned when fire broke out at a Wendy’s in Brighton and remain in hospital.
The blaze sparked a mass emergency service response in the city on Thursday evening.
Sussex Police continue to investigate the cause of the fire as social media users reported hearing what they believed was a fireworks ‘explosion’ at the restaurant.
However, it is understood fireworks were not the cause of the incident.
A spokesman for the force said: ‘Four 12-year-old girls sustained potentially life-changing burns following an incident at Wendy’s in Western Road, Brighton, around 8.30pm on Thursday October 31.
‘They remain in hospital at this time, and our enquiries to establish the cause of the fire are ongoing.
‘While we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident, anyone with any information is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1241 of 31/10.’
No arrests have been made.
Sussex Police said the incident took place in the toilet area of the restaurant.
Western Road was temporarily closed to allow for emergency services, including East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, to attend the scene last night.
A spokeswoman for the fire service confirmed they were called to attend a fire at the restaurant.
Footage shared online shows commotion outside the restaurant as emergency service members stood outside the entrance with the road cordoned off.
The American burger chain opened in Brighton in March 2022 shortly after the brand first opened in the UK.