A man has lost his home but escaped with his life after an explosion destroyed his Gerroa caravan home on Friday morning.
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An explosion sounded at the Seven Mile Holiday Park about 8.40am, before fire engulfed the man’s caravan.
The man suffered burns to his arms and legs.
Meantime, neighbours with hoses did their best to extinguish the blaze.
Police believe an open flame came within the vicinity of a gas bottle in the moments before the fire sparked. It is unclear whether the gas bottle was inside the caravan or directly outside.
A number of unoccupied neighbouring caravans were also damaged in the blaze, before firefighters arrived.
The injured man was taken by road ambulance to Wollongong Hospital.
He remained in the hospital’s emergency department late Friday afternoon, in a stable condition.
NSW Rural Fire Service assistant media officer James Morris said it took firefighters 15 minutes to bring the fire under control.
“RFS crews received a call for a number of caravans alight around 8.40am on Friday morning,” he said.
“Crews were on scene within a very short amount of time. They found one caravan completely destroyed and engulfed by fire with a number of surrounding caravans alight with some significant damage.”
“One person was transported to hospital with some injures to their hands.
“The other caravans surrounding didn’t have anyone inside, thankfully.”
“Thankfully, with a quick response from the RFS, we managed to contain that to only a small amount of damage.
“At this stage the cause is under investigation by police and fire investigators.”
Scientific police were to attend the Kiama council-owned site, off Crooked River Road, later Friday as part of an investigation into the cause of the fire.
A Lake Illawarra Police spokesman said a gas bottle attached to a barbecue was believed to have been involved in the blaze.
“The fire does not appear suspicious,” he said.
“The scene will be forensically examined and he’ll be interviewed when he’s recovered sufficiently.”
Firefighters warn against using an LPG cylinder indoors or in a confined space.
Cylinders should be checked for rust or damage, and connections should be clear and fit properly, before lighting.