Hawkesbury River: Eight people suffering ‘significant burns’ in boat explosion

Two of the victims are believed to have burns to 60 per cent of their bodies after the boat explosion north of Sydney.

The boat exploded at Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River. Picture: 7News

Eight people have sustained serious burns, with two in critical condition, after a horror on-board explosion on a houseboat on the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn north of Sydney.

Another four people are in a serious condition, while two have received minor injuries, after the boat exploded shortly after 5pm at Dangar Island, with the boat “well alight” after the blast.

The cruiser in flames at Brooklyn Marina on the Hawkesbury River today. Pictures: Greg Manning

Eight people suffered burns and two were in a critical condition after the on-board blast. Picture: Greg Manning

Emergency services were called to the Hawkesbury Marina at Brooklyn, with NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the Rural Fire Service attending the incident.

NSW Police said eight people suffered “varying burns”.

It is believed two people have suffered burns to up to 60 per cent of their bodies, while another six had burns to 20 per cent or less of their bodies, after the boat went up in flames.

Firefighters respond to the scene at the Brooklyn Marina. Picture: Greg Manning

It is believed the boat was being refuelled at the time of the blaze. NSW Police said the injured were being treated by paramedics ahead of being transported to Royal North Shore, Westmead and Gosford hospitals.

They were treated by Rural Fire Service volunteers while paramedics were en route.

Eight people have been injured in the explosion. Picture: 7News

The RFS was assisted by Fire and Rescue NSW crews in extinguishing the boat fire, however it was completely destroyed.

“We’ve got some hazmat crews en route as well because there will be a fuel spill associated with the boat,” Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Luke Unsworth told NCA NewsWire just after 6pm.

The boat was completely destroyed and sank after the explosion. Picture: Greg Manning

“This is quite a significant event, having (this number of) people with significant burns is a significant event.”

It took firefighters almost an hour to put out the blaze and crews remained at the scene at 7pm to help contain any chemicals.

Locals on social media spotted the fire and frantically tried to alert others of the danger.

“Chaos at Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury,” one witness wrote on Twitter just after 6pm.

“Six ambulances so far. Multiple fire trucks and Police cars. At least two helicopters. Something is going down.”

Originally published as Hawkesbury River: Eight people suffering ‘significant burns’ in boat explosion