Man seriously burned after Gold Coast unit explodes

A man has “significant full body burns” following an explosion at a unit on the Gold Coast. A woman and a firefighter have also been taken to hospital.

A man has suffered major burns in an explosion on the Gold Coast.

The man, understood to be aged in his 30s, was seriously injured when a home unit in Fortune St, Coomera, burst into flames about 4.15pm on Monday.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud explosion before the blaze.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the man had suffered significant full-body burns.

Unit fire at Coomera on the Gold Coast. Picture: 7 News

He was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious condition.

Paramedics also treated a woman in her 40s at the scene for back injuries and smoke inhalation.

She was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

A firefighter was also injured, reportedly when the roof of the unit collapsed. The firefighter was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital with minor injuries.

Residents of the complex, which is just 250m from busy Coomera police station, said firefighters had responded quickly to the incident, preventing the blaze from spreading to neighbouring units.

A unit has exploded in flames on the Gold Coast. Picture: Charlton Hart/Gold Coast Bulletin

However the unit where the explosion occurred had been completely destroyed, while a next door unit had suffered water damage as the inferno was brought under control.

It is believed nobody was in the water damaged unit at the time.

“It’s a real shock,” one complex resident said. “Nothing like this has happened here before.

“It’s frightening. A real wake-up call.”

Police are investigating.

A unit has exploded in flames on the Gold Coast. Picture: Charlton Hart/Gold Coast Bulletin

Unit fire at Coomera on the Gold Coast. Picture: 7 News