A man has been rushed to hospital after he jumped from the balcony of an apartment following an explosion caused by a barbecue fire.
Emergency services were called to Meredith Street, in Bankstown, in Sydney’s west, just after 3pm on Thursday after the man in his 30s fell from the second floor of the unit block.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman told Daily Mail the man suffered serious burns to his arms, leg and face.
He was treated at the scene and was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry told Daily Mail the man was cooking on a barbecue on the balcony.
Supt Dewberry said crews were called to the scene following reports of a gas leak.
‘He suffered serious burns. The scene was cleared at 4.10pm’ he said.
Daily Mail has contacted NSW Police for further comment.
Images from the scene showed the man being assisted by several paramedics outside the apartment block.
He was seen lying on a stretcher with several bandages placed onto parts of his upper arm and shoulder as he continued to receive treatment.
The man was then helped into a waiting ambulance vehicle by paramedics.
Several police vehicle lined the street as officers spoke to locals and emergency service workers.
Police were also seen inspecting several balconies at the unit block.
Discarded rubbish was seen strewn on the grass outside apartment building.
A gas cylinder was also seen unattended outside the unit block with parts of the exterior burnt out.
A woman, who was visiting her sister at unit block said she heard a loud bang before emergency services arrived at the scene.
‘[The injured man] hurt his shoulder and his leg,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.
‘[I was told] it was a gas explosion.’
The latest incident comes after authorities issued several warnings previously about the use of gas cylinders during the summer months.
Supt Dewberry previously told Daily Mail people should exercise caution when they are using the object to cook food.
‘Due to the number of barbecue fires, particularly on balconies, we’re just asking people to be really careful with them, make sure you turn off the gas once you’re finished with it,’ Supt Dewberry said.
‘The main thing is to make sure the gas isn’t leaking and check the connection, and make sure you’ve got a bit of separation or distance between the barbeque or any hotplates around.’
Barbecue mishaps can be avoided through regular checks and maintenance.
Supt Dewberry also advised people to have a garden hose or a continuous supply of water at all times when using a barbecue to cook outdoors.
‘If a gas leak does occur, shut off the cylinder immediately and allow any gas to dissipate,’ he said.
Aussies are also advised to check the date stamp on the gas cylinder, which are valid for 10 years.