An elderly couple has been rushed to hospital after a suspected leaking acetylene cylinder exploded in their car in Brisbane's north. The couple's sedan burst into flames following an explosion in a car park on Telegraph Rd in Fitzgibbon about 7.30am on Tuesday. Images from the scene show the vehicle engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the air above the car park.
Bystanders helped the pair out of the vehicle before they were treated by paramedics. Queensland Ambulance Service said a woman in her 70s suffered lacerations to her leg, while a man was treated for ear pain. Both were taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in stable conditions.
A spokesperson for Queensland Fire Department told 7NEWS.com.au it appeared an acetylene cylinder had exploded in the boot of the car. Two fire and rescue crews responded to the incident and remained at the scene until 11.40am to extinguish the blaze and manage the gas cylinder.
Taigum Fire Station officer Tony Lawrie told The Courier Mail the man had purchased the cylinder from Bunnings the day before and was in the process of returning it. “He was at his home and he could smell the acetylene,” he said. “So he put the cylinder in the back of his vehicle and was taking it back to Bunnings to exchange it. From his information, the cylinder had all been turned off, but the gas was leaking from underneath the valve assembly.”
Bunnings said it was aware of the incident and was looking into the circumstances surrounding what occurred. “Our thoughts are with those involved in this incident, and we wish them a fast recovery,” a spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au. “The safety of our team and customers is our number one priority.” The hardware retailer said it would assist relevant authorities if requested and reminded customers to follow manufacturers’ instructions and applicable regulations when transporting, storing and using gas cylinders.
