Greenwell Point, Worrigee: Cousins seriously hurt after shed explodes into flames
Two teenage boys have suffered serious burns to their arms and legs after a shed they were working in on the South Coast burst into flames overnight.
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Two teenage cousins have suffered serious burns to their arms and legs, after a shed they were working in exploded into flames in the state’s south last night.
Emergency services were called to Greenwell Point at Worrigee around 5pm on Sunday afternoon, following reports a shed had burst into flames.
Upon arrival, paramedics found two boys, both aged 17, with serious burns to their bodies, and a shed well alight.
One of the boys was flown to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition, while the other was taken to Wollongong Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
By Monday morning, the second boy had also been transferred to a Sydney Hospital, due to the serious nature of his injuries.
On Monday, South Coast Police District Detective Inspector David Cockram confirmed the boys had been working on the family’s boat when it exploded into flames.
“They were working on a fuel tank on the boat and it ignited,” he said.
“(It was) an unfortunate event yesterday and something we are not considering as a suspicious fire, it looks like it’s just an accident and unfortunately the boys have been burnt.”
It’s understood one of the boys’ father’s was present at the time of the horrific incident, and that one of the boys ran to a neighbour for help after being seriously burnt.
Det Insp Cockram said while the boys’ burns are not being considered life threatening at this safe, they will undergo treatment for “an extensive period of time”.
“I spoke to both their fathers, they are obviously upset, one of the fathers was in tears on the phone with me,” he said.
“I really feel for the families and I’m very grateful these kids are going to pull through.”
While Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service were able to stop the fire from spreading to the nearby residence, the shed was completely destroyed.