CCTV captures Mill Park blast that left eight people with serious burns on NYE

A chemical poured on to a fire at a New Year’s Eve house party in Mill Park is believed to have caused a huge explosion that injured 15 people. See the video.

Police are investigating a huge explosion at a New Year’s Eve party in Melbourne’s northeast that sent almost a dozen people to hospital.

Detectives believe an accelerant was poured on to a fire in the backyard of a Development Boulevard property in Mill Park about 11.10pm on Sunday, injuring 15 people.

“It is believed a chemical was poured onto a fire at a New Year’s Eve party in the backyard of a Development Boulevard property about 11pm, which has caused an explosion,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

“A 40-year-old Mill Park man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries however has since been downgraded to being in a serious condition.

Police and fire crews and paramedics at the scene of the blast in Mill Park on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Regan Hodge

Neighbours say there were close to 100 people in attendance. Picture: Regan Hodge

“Three other adults also sustained injuries and another seven were taken to hospital with minor burns.”

Eight patients were rushed to The Alfred hospital and three were taken to The Northern Hospital.

Police tape surrounded the double-storey home on Monday morning, as detectives assessed the scene at the rear of the property.

Forensic detectives took several bags of evidence from the home — some containing bottles or containers filled with liquid.

Neighbours say those living in the Development Boulevard home had hosted a New Year’s Eve party with “close to 100 people” in attendance.

They rushed outside only to the sound of sirens, with dozens of emergency vehicles filling the suburban street.

Police tape surrounds the Mill Park home on New Year’s Day. Picture: Regan Hodge

Forensics crews bag evidence the morning after the explosion. Picture: Regan Hodge

One neighbour said he assumed the explosion was the sound of fireworks given it was so close to midnight.

“I heard a loud bang and that was at about 11pm, I thought it was just fireworks, and thought that they were starting early’,” Tony said.

“Then I saw fire brigades coming by and I thought ‘that’s not good’.

“I just heard sirens, then you see ambulance after ambulance and I thought it was pretty serious.

“It sounded like a party gone wrong, it’s not good.”

Another resident said he heard a “bang” and thought it was a “firecracker gone wrong” before seeing dozens of emergency vehicles outside the home.

On Monday morning, a woman had been discharged from The Alfred, a man remained in a critical but stable condition, two men were in serious conditions and a woman and a man remained stable.