Brian Taylor reveals lucky escape after gas explosion on his Gippsland property

Brian Taylor has shared details about his lucky escape after a gas explosion at his Gippsland property, but says he will stick with his much-loved hobby.

Brian Taylor describes his escape after a gas explosion at his Gippsland property as a lucky one. Picture: Alex Coppel

Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor says he’ll always be a tool man despite his lucky escape with minor injuries after a gas explosion at his Gippsland property.

Taylor is in Perth ready to call Saturday’s grand final, alongside James Brayshaw, but says the incident last month while working on a hot water service had the potential to be serious.

“In the end it looks like it was perhaps overblown but one of the things with fires and LPG is the medicos are worried you’ve inhaled heat into your lungs and that can do damage,” Taylor, 59, said.

Brian Taylor is flown to The Alfred hospial after being injured in a gas explosion at his home. Picture: Seven News

“Until they can tick that off and eliminate that out of the scenario, everything is an emergency. It’s a bit like a heart attack — if you’re not feeling well — just an abundance of caution, which is exactly how I would have wanted the medicos to treat me or my son or my wife, and that’s exactly what they did.”

Taylor was flown to The Alfred hospital from his farm in Walhalla, 180km east of Melbourne.

He suffered minor burns to his face and said it was his hobby to do plumbing and odd jobs around his properties.

“Absolutely. I’m a toolman,’’ he said.

“I’ll be on the tools for as long as I possibly can.

“It hasn’t deterred me and I’ll continue to do what I do and what I enjoy. It’s a hobby and I love getting out there and doing stuff.

BT hasn’t been deterred from getting on the tools at home. Picture: Seven News

“We’ve had a house up there for many years and we just sold and purchased a new one and we were moving in on that particular day.”

Taylor, who was born in Mandurah in WA, has been able to catch up with his parents, sister and brother who still live there.

He quarantined for 15 days along with Brayshaw and said while it was a great atmosphere for the game given the Covid and lockdown situation in Victoria, he looks forward to the grand final returning to the MCG.

“I know Melbourne goes crazy, we’re used to it and the city handles it in its stride,’’ Taylor said.

“For this year it is good. Let’s not kid ourselves, we know there’s a contract in place at the MCG. This is an extraordinary circumstance, while it’s fantastic it’s here and we are grateful to the state of WA, it’s almost laughable when I hear people say this is better.

“The MCG is a stadium where everyone wants to play in big events.”