An early morning explosion Wednesday sent a local truck driver to the hospital with burns when propane gas was ignited as he was filling a tank for Old Time Country Kitchen, which adjoins Newborn Truck Stop on Georgia Highway 100 South at Interstate 20’s Exit 5, according to Haralson County Fire Chief Brian Walker.

The injured man, who was treated for burns and released from Tanner Medical Center in Bremen, was identified as Robbie Jordan, an employee of River City Propane of Tallapoosa, according to Chief Walker.

“We got a 911 call at 8:35 this morning [Wednesday], that there were flames coming from the restaurant,” said Walker. “The fire was contained in about 45 minutes. We’re not sure yet about the exact cause. We have called in the Georgia Fire Marshall’s office to investigate.”

Five Haralson County fire trucks and one Tallapoosa truck were still on the scene at the busy truck stop, a few hundred yards south of Exit 5, several hours after the call.

Restaurant and truck stop owner Clarence Newborn said he was thankful that the driver was not hurt more severely and that damage was not worse.

“We just have to pick up and go on,” said Newborn, who could only guess at the cost of the damages caused by the explosion.

The restaurant was closed Wednesday, and as of press time it was unclear when it would re-open. However, the shop at the truck stop remained open, and the adjoining Chrome Shop was expected to re-open Thursday, according to a company spokesperson at the scene.