Man burnt in explosion at Greenpeace offices stable

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A man is in a stable condition with severe burns in Auckland's Middlemore Hospital after sparks from an angle grinder yesterday ignited fuel on a boat he was working on.

The man, understood to be a contractor, was working on the rigid-hull inflatable boat at a workshop in the Greenpeace offices in Mt Eden, central Auckland.

Residual fuel at the bottom of the vessel ignited and exploded, Auckland Central Fire Station senior station officer Gary Lane told NZPA.

The man suffered burns to his hands, legs and face and was put under a cold shower by his co-workers to relieve the considerable pain before an ambulance arrived, Mr Lane said.

His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, a hospital spokesperson said.

The explosion had also started a fire on the boat, which was out by the time fire officers arrived.

"Petrol's very volatile and the slightest spark can cause what can be like an explosion," Mr Lane said.

"Whenever you work around fuel you've got to be so careful that you keep sparks away...especially petrol because it's so volatile."

- NZPA