Heroic neighbour rescues boy from fire

File photo.

A Hamilton man is being hailed a hero after rescuing a badly burned boy after an explosion.

Three boys had been in what appeared to be a shipping container converted into an external bedroom on Rimu St, when it appeared one of the boys lit a cigarette causing some kind of accelerant to ignite, police said.

Next door neighbour Paul Temple said he was outside on a couch when he heard a commotion.

"A young boy raced around and said his brother was on fire," he said.

"I ran round and found him still in the container so dragged him clear and began pouring water on his injuries until ambulance officers arrived."

The 14-year-old boy suffered burns to about 65 per cent of his body.

An 11-year-old boy suffered minor to moderate injuries.

Emergency services, which arrived about 11am to find the container blazing, praised Mr Temple's actions.

Hamilton police were looking at acknowledging what he did.

Police and fire safety officers were investigating what the accelerant was and why it was in the container.

- NZPA