Gas explosion at Gorden Tallis’ Brisbane house injures woman

The partner of Queensland Maroons legend Gorden Tallis has been injured after a gas bottle exploded at the couple’s Brisbane home.

Emergency services have rushed to the Bardon scene where a BBQ gas bottle has exploded.

The partner of Queensland Maroons legend Gorden Tallis has been injured after a gas bottle exploded at the couple’s Brisbane home, creating a fiery delay to plans for a romantic dinner.

Tallis' partner Jemma Elder suffered minor burns to her lower limbs and was taken to hospital in a stable condition as a result of the incident on Tuesday night, but returned home only hours later.

A startled neighbour reported a loud bang followed by a scream at the Bardon property about 7pm, with a Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman saying the gas bottle exploded after the barbecue on the balcony of the home failed to light.

Tallis today told The Courier-Mail he was near the front gate of the home when he heard a loud bang followed by a scream.

He said Ms Elder was attempting to switch on their in-built barbecue when the mini explosion occurred and she was lucky to have escaped relatively unscathed.

Maroons legend Gorden Tallis

“I was trying to have a romantic dinner,” said Tallis.

“It [the barbecue] didn’t start and then she [Ms Elder] pressed ‘on’ again and it went bang. A big bang, so loud even the footy players ran from across the road.

“It [flames] came up towards her face and blew the [cupboard] doors straight off.

“Lucky she was wearing natural long clothing, like linen. If she was wearing something else that could have caught on fire, that’s what was so lucky.

After a check by firefighters that there was no gas leak, Tallis was set to get back to cooking.

“The responders were here so quick, and they did a fantastic job,” said Tallis.

“The fireys came and checked it all, turned the gas on and off, and there was no gas leak at all. Because if there was a leak we would have needed to get out of the house. As soon as they checked it out, we cooked on it.”

Gorden Tallis and Jemma Elder ended up enjoying dinner … just much later than anticipated. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ms Elder returned home on Tuesday night for a belated dinner.

“She went and got treatment and was back home last night,” Tallis said.

“We did end up having a nice dinner, really late though. She’s recovering really well.

“Kids are fine, they got fed too.”

Tallis said after the freak incident, he was just glad his family was safe and sound.

“We were just cooking dinner like everybody does. It’s one of those situations that happen every now and then I suppose and were just lucky it wasn’t too serious.

“We thank our lucky stars.”