By CASEY NEILL
A GAS-FUELLED explosion in Springvale South has left two women with severe burns and promoted a safety warning.
Springvale Fire Brigade Senior Station Officer Josey Sensi said staff and volunteers from the Springvale and Dandenong CFA brigades responded to a fire at a home in Olympic Avenue on Sunday 7 September.
She said the home’s elderly occupants were trying to change a barbecue LPG cylinder.
“This resulted in gas leaking from the cylinder,” Ms Sensi said.
“LPG is heavier than air and this meant the gas pooled and travelled three metres at ground level until it found an ignition source.
“In this case, the pilot light of the hot water service.
“Once an ignition source was found, an explosion occurred.”
Two elderly women suffered severe burns in the explosion and were transported to The Alfred hospital.
“Fire crews’ quick actions prevented the fire from spreading further to the house,” Ms Sensi said.
She said crews also provided a high level of first aid for the two patients until Ambulance Victoria arrived, and liaised with Victoria Police, the Office of Gas Safety and other agencies to manage the scene.
“The CFA recommends that when handling LPG, or any other pressurised gas, that it be done in a clear area, away from any possible ignition sources,” she said.
“If you’re not confident of the use of a barbecue LPG cylinder, please get professional advice.”
Ms Sensi said it was also a timely reminder to keep an extinguisher, fire blanket and a working smoke alarm for such emergencies.
