Bowen Tce fire: New Farm rocked by explosion, five people being treated, two serious

A charging e-scooter has been blamed for an explosion at a New Farm home that has left a man and woman fighting for life. WATCH THE VIDEO

A charging e-scooter has been blamed for an explosion at a New Farm home that left a man and woman fighting for life.

A man and woman suffered critical injuries after the explosion and subsequent blaze, with the pair placed in induced comas. Three other people were also injured.

It is believed the e-scooter had been charging overnight in the loungeroom of the unit.

Emergency services rushed to the corner of Bowen Tce and Oxley Lane about 9.15am after residents reported hearing an explosion.

It’s understood nine crews, and 29 fire fighters, responded to the fire.

Emergency services at the scene of a serious unit fire at New Farm. Picture: David Clark

Queensland Police Service Inspector Karl Hahne said the neighbours frantically doused two of the occupants with water following reports of a “large explosion”.

“At about 9:16am multiple calls for service were received by police, fire and ambulance,” Insp Hahne said.

“On arrival there was a severe fire in one the units.”

Smoke pours from a New Farm unit following an explosion. Picture: Supplied

Insp Hahne said a man and woman were treated by paramedics.

“(The seriously injured male and female) were intubated, placed in an induced coma and taken to hospital,” he said.

Insp Hahne said a third person was treated for smoke inhalation after he attempted to rescue two housemates who were initially trapped in the unit.

Emergency services at the scene of a serious unit fire at New Farm. Picture: David Clark

A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said she used a hose to douse the seriously injured persons with water.

Queensland Ambulance Service rushed the man and woman to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in critical conditions with extensive burns.

A man aged in his 50s was also taken to the Royal in a stable condition from smoke inhalation.

Two others, a man and woman, suffered smoke inhalation but did not require further treatment.

Queensland Police Service Sergeant David Holmes said the seriously injured occupants had sustained “significant burns, which would have been a “confronting” scene for neighbours.

Sgt Holmes described the scene as “chaotic”.

Witnesses have told of an explosion that has left one person in an induced coma. Picture: David Clark

When asked about the first aid provided by neighbours, Sgt Holmes said “trying to cool them off, dousing them 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.

Insp Hahne said fire investigators will work to determine the cause of the explosion.

“At this stage, all people are reporting that they heard a loud explosion, people from within the unit obviously two of them are in a serious condition,” he said.

“At this stage their recollection is that they woke up to the sound of a large explosion, a fire and they immediately evacuated from the unit.

Insp Hahne said while it appeared that the fire started inside the unit, there was

“It is still too hot to gain access at the moment, but once we do enter we will be doing a thorough investigation in those units.”

NEW FARM: Bowen Terrace between Balfour Street and Barker Street is currently closed following a fire at an address. Emergency services are on scene, however motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible. #bnetrafficpic.twitter.com/yvtOBhIJB8

— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) April 20, 2024

Emergency services at the scene of a serious property fire “explosion” in New Farm. Picture: Samantha Scott

He said residents of the apartment block were confronted with frightening scenes and worked well to provide assistance to the occupants of the affected unit.

“A confronting scene definitely, burns are not nice and obviously an extreme amount of pain,” he said.

“I can see from when I arrived that the members of the units were assisting greatly, they were pouring water on the people, assisting them and giving them encouragement, the community rallies around during circumstances like this so well done those involved.”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Inspector Paul Vink said crews managed to contain the “intense” fire to only one unit.

“On site, the crews were met with a very intense fire, from that fire four persons have been transported injured and one person hasn’t been transported with mild injuries,” Insp Vink said.

“We had nine appliances and 29 personnel to get the incident under control and we did manage to contain the fire to one unit and the other units were fortunately saved so the fireys did a really good job.”

QFES units remain on scene and continue to work on the unit.

“We are currently doing atmospheric testing to make sure that it is safe for the surrounding unit occupants so they can go back to their unit,” he said.

“The firefighters had a little bit of difficulty getting access to the fire because the unit was well boarded up and secured so they had to gain forcible entry in order to get to the casualties.”

A crime scene has been established by police.

Investigations are continuing. Bowen Tce and Oxley Lane are both closed and motorists and residents are urged to avoid the area.