Bowen Terrace explosion: Two people fighting for life after suffering burns in unit fire

The Nightly
Emergency services responded to reports of an explosion on the corner of Bowen Terrace and Oxley Lane just after 9am on Saturday.
Emergency services responded to reports of an explosion on the corner of Bowen Terrace and Oxley Lane just after 9am on Saturday. Credit: Queensland Ambulance Services

Two people are fighting for life after an explosion at a unit in Brisbane’s north.

Emergency services responded to reports of an explosion near Bowen Terrace and Oxley Lane in New Farm, just after 9am on Saturday.

A man and woman suffered extensive burns and have since been placed in induced comas.

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Queensland Police Service Inspector Karl Hahne said three others were assessed at the scene but did not require treatment.

“We assessed five patients at the scene, two were in critical condition and both of those suffered extensive burns,” Insp. Hahne said.

“They were transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

“A third patient there suffered some smoke inhalation and was transported in a stable condition through to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

“The remaining two patients both did suffer some smoke inhalation, however they declined any hospitalisations so they were left at the scene.”

Queensland Police Service Sergeant David Holmes said neighbours rushed to help, dousing the victims with water.

“The people who were on the balcony initially weren’t able to be extricated from the building … until they climbed down the ladder there was no real assistance that we could give them,” he said.

Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.

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