A gas heater explosion has left an elderly man with superficial burns to his hands and face after it blew up.
Tauranga Fire Service senior station office Phil Price said two fire crews including the Greerton Fire Service attended the incident about 8.30am this morning at the Greerton property.
Mr Price said the man was down the back end of his house when he heard a "bang" and came down the hallway.
A smoke alarm alerted him to the fire which was in the lounge.
"He saw the gas heater was on fire and he then exited the house through the front door.
In the process he suffered some some superficial burns and singeing of his hair," Mr Price said.