Heater explodes in Whangarei home

Fire officers are amazed an elderly man survived after a gas heater exploded in his Whangarei home, blasting out a sliding door and windows and ripping a wall off its foundations.

The incident happened about 6.45am yesterday and the man was taken by ambulance to Whangarei Hospital with a cut to his hand, burns to his lower legs, and suspected shock.

He had been trying to start the heater and caused a flash fire.