Man dies after suspected gas explosion in Kingcliff retirement village
The 85-year-old suffered severe burns to 50 per cent of his body after a fire erupted at his demountable home at Noble Lakeside Park, an over-50s village at Kingscliff, on Monday.
He was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition but died from his injuries overnight.
The man's 83-year-old wife, who was also inside the home when the fire broke out, was taken to Tweed Valley Hospital with minor burns to her face and body.
She is in a stable condition.
A resident of the park who did not wish to be identified said people living nearby described their homes shaking from an explosion.
The resident told the ABC that after the blast two neighbours rushed into the home and got the couple out before the structure was engulfed in flames.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewbury said the cause of the fire was still being investigated but the debris pattern suggested a gas leak.
"We've also got evidence of a pretty decent flash-fire or a minor explosion, which has pushed a lot of the construction of that demountable outside of where we would normally expect it than if it was a fire that started in a kitchen or in a lounge," he said.
"So there is information to indicate there has been some sort of vapour that has ignited.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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