Seaforth: Two tradies badly burned in chemical explosion at northern beaches home

Two tradies have been taken to hospital with serious burns after a chemical explosion on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Police talking to building workers outside a home at Seaforth following an explosion while two men were workimnmg in a bathroom on the premises. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Two men were badly burned in what appears to be a chemical explosion at a residential building site on the northern beaches.

The tradies were working on a luxury house renovation in Battle Blvd, Seaforth when they were engulfed in flames at about 1.50pm.

Emergency workers at the scene of a chemical explosion at Seaforth. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The men were laying down a waterproof membrane in a bathroom at the house overlooking The Spit and Middle Harbour when an explosion occurred.

Paramedics, and a medical team from the NSW Ambulance helicopter, treated the pair for significant facial, arm, abdomen and leg burns.

One man, 32, suffered burns to most of his body and was in a critical condition in hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

His workmate, 21, was burned from the waist down. He is in a serious condition.

Both men were taken to the burns unit at Royal North Shore Hospital

The house under renovation at Seaforth. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

A spokesman for New South Wales Fire and rescue said they received an initial triple-0 call about a house fire in Battle Boulevard.

“When firefighters arrived the fire, that was in the bathroom, had been extinguished,“ The spokesman said.

Northern Beaches Police Duty Officer, Stuart Byrnes, said building workers at the site confirmed to detectives that the explosion occurred while the two men were working in the bathroom.

The entrance to the house at Seaforth where two building workers were badly burned in a chemical fire. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“The men were laying down a waterproof membrane using a heat gun in the process, but it appears that fumes have ignited,” Inspector Byrnes said.

“The two men were helped by their workmates before emergency services arrived.“

It is understood the men’s clothing caught alight.

Police taped off the house at Seaforth, with views over The Spit and Middle Harbour. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The house, which has been undergoing a full renovation since the beginning of the year, was not occupied by its owners at the time of the explosion.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she heard yelling and screaming just before 2pm.

One of the building workers, who gave his name as Maurice, said he was going to hospital to visit his mates.

Building sub-contractor Maurice (right) outside the house at Seaforth where two men were badly burned in a chemical fire. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“I’m going up to see them, see how they are. I’d like to thank the ambulance people who helped them.“

The incident is not being treated as suspicious by polixce and is being investigated by Safework NSW.