MOODY, Ala (WIAT) — An Alabama fast food employee tells CBS 42 that her beloved colleague is in the hospital after they were forced to work without air conditioning for weeks in the May heat.
The Burger King in Moody is closed and has been since the weekend. Signs outside tell potential customers that the building is closed for maintenance.
According to Creshawna Durrah, paramedics were called out to transport an employee last week because conditions were so hot inside. Durrah told CBS 42 the other employee is in her mid 70s.
“Where the prep area is at, she was on the ground, and so they had to transport her to the hospital,” said Durrah.
Durrah said employees complained about the air conditioning but it was never fixed.
“Even if I am talking to you right now, it is hot, so imagine if I am talking to you with a broiler or a fryer,” said Durrah.
In a response to an inquiry from CBS 42, a spokesperson for Burger King released the following statement:
This is a franchised restaurant which was purchased by a new owner last week. The new owner closed the restaurant in order to replace the building’s faulty air conditioning units, and the restaurant is expected to reopen under new management tomorrow. The new owners are in contact with their team as they work to reopen the restaurant.
Durrah wants to know why problems were not fixed sooner.
“This is just due to us not having air, I feel like if they would have just gone ahead and shut us down, that this wouldn’t have happened,” said Durrah.
Plenty of customers were unaware of the abrupt closure Tuesday. Several attempted to go inside or use the drive-thru.
Durrah hopes the AC is fixed soon, but right now all she can think about is her friend.
“I personally cannot sit back and be silent about it because if this was my mom I would be very very upset,” Durrah continued. “I just want everybody to come together and really pray, I know what prayer can do.”
CBS 42 reached out to Premier Kings in Montgomery. A Premier Kings employee confirmed the company owned the Moody Burger King. No one from Premier Kings issued a statement or response to our inquiry.
The employee continues to recover at UAB hospital.