Hamilton fuel tank blast kills one

The Fire Service's Roy Breeze said the damaged tank looked like it had been opened with a can opener. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

Frantic workmates failed to save a man who was killed when a fuel tank exploded in the Hamilton suburb of Pukete today.

The man had just started work on dismantling a tank in Kamiro St shortly after 2pm when it exploded and he was hit by a flying lid.

The Fire Service's Waikato area commander, Roy Breeze, told NZPA it was believed that the man had been using welding gear which ignited petrol fumes in the tank causing the explosion.

The man's workmates tried to resuscitate him and ambulance officers and firefighters worked on him for some time but he could not be revived.

Mr Breeze said the tank was one of several being broken down for scrap metal.

"It looks like he started to work on this tank, probably with a gas torch, and the tank has exploded," Mr Breeze said.

"Part of the tank has hit the person.

"When you get an enclosed container that has had even the smallest amount of flammable liquid in it, and then to introduce a flame or spark or something like a gas cutter, you are asking for a huge explosion."

He said the tank looked like it had been opened with a can opener.

Police said the man's name would be released when relatives had been told.

The Department of Labour was investigating.

- NZPA