Eldery gas explosion victim no longer in hospital

Firefighters at the scene where a gas heater exploded causing facial burns to the occupant of Greerton home, who was taken to Tauranga Hospital. Photo/John Borren

An elderly man who suffered superficial burns to his hands and face on Friday after his gas heater exploded inside his Greerton home has been discharged from Tauranga Hospital.

Tauranga fire service senior station office Phil Price said the man, 91, was down the back end of his house when he heard a bang and came down the hallway.

A smoke alarm alerted the man to the fire which was burning in the lounge.

He suffered some burns and singeing of his hair while he was leaving the house. The house was extensively smoke-damaged but structurally sound.