A Wellington man says he's lucky to be alive after his cellphone shielded him from the worst of a fiery explosion last week.
Carlucci Land creator Carl Gifford is recovering in his Owhiro Bay home after suffering severe burns to his hands, neck and face, but he told the Herald he wasn't feeling better after his release from Hutt Hospital's burns unit.
"I don't even know if I should be at home to be honest."
Mr Gifford was fielding a call from a mate on his Samsung when a fire erupted as he cleared a firebreak on a hill in Happy Valley last Thursday. The flames burned his hands, neck and face.
It is believed the digger he was using may have caught fire after pine needles got caught in the hot exhaust.