Burger King employees smash up shop after prank call

US authorities have urged the public to verify odd-sounding emergency warnings after a hapless bunch of burger flippers in California smashed up their own restaurant while under the apprehension that it was filling with gas.

Apparently acting on the advice of a hoax call, employees working at a Burger King in Morro Bay, up the coast from Santa Barbara, broke every window in the joint, even ramming the building at speed with a car.

The incident prompted police to explain that while the state will issue mass-alert – similar to ones Australians living in bushfire zones will be familiar with – making an individual warning call is highly unusual.

Police, who are investigating the incident, said that recipients of such calls should contact emergency services to confirm whether or not they are to be taken seriously.