Man fighting for life with third-degree burns after giant explosion flattened his home on the NSW North Coast
Up to 14 firefighters rushed to control the blaze at the residence on Mary Street at Noble Lakeside Park, Kingscliff, about 7.30am on Monday.
Crews arrived to find the home - located in an over-50s retirement village - flattened and in pieces after the explosion blew the walls and roof apart.
An 85-year-old man with severe burns was rushed to Royal Brisbane Hospital in a critical condition, while an 83-year-old woman was taken to Tweed Valley Hospital in a stable condition with minor burns to her face and body.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Paul Millard said their injuries were 'significant'.
'The home was completely destroyed,' he said.
Fire and Rescue NSW told Daily Mail Australia that the explosion may have been caused by a leaking LPG system.
Police also said initial investigations revealed the fire may have been sparked by a leak from an internal portable gas appliance.
LPG vapour is highly flammable, and air mixtures containing between two and ten per cent can easily ignite and explode.
A resident of the park who did not want to be named, said she felt and heard the explosion before she saw black smoke pouring out of the home.
'It was huge. People up the hill in Cudgen say their homes shook,' she told the ABC.
The woman said neighbours ran into the home to rescue the elderly couple before it became fully engulfed in flames.
'I just pray they're going to be OK,' she said.
'It's just so sad.'
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