Five people injured after backyard heater explosion during 50th party

Two people are critical and three others are being treated for serious burns after a diesel heater exploded in the backyard of a home north of Newcastle while it was being refuelled.

A man and a woman are fighting for their lives in hospital after a heater exploded during a 50th birthday party on Saturday night.

Another three people were also treated for serious burns after the incident in the backyard of a home north of Newcastle.

Emergency services were called to Carnoustie Way, Medowie about 8.30pm to find the five people seriously injured.

The home on Carnoustie Way.

It’s believed the diesel heater was being refuelled when it exploded.

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A 50-year-old man, from Medowie, and a 42-year-old woman, from Corlette were flown to Royal North Shore Hospital where they remain in critical conditions.

Three men, two aged 39 and 54 from Medowie and a 40-year-old man from Raymond Terrace, were treated for serious burns to their bodies and taken to John Hunter Hospital.

It’s believed the diesel heater was being refuelled in the backyard heater when the explosion occurred.

Port Stephens Hunter Police Acting Inspector Kevin Armstrong said police were told the owner had been using the same heater for about 20 years and hadn’t done anything differently while refuelling.

Five people were seriously injured.

Acting Insp Armstrong said police are at a loss to know what happened but are continuing their investigations.

Neighbours said they didn’t hear any noises or a bang when the incident occurred but just saw the flashing lights of emergency services outside the home.