A 26-year-old man suffered second degree burns to his hands and back when fire gutted a Whakatane home and garage on Wednesday night.
Constable Yvonne Parker, of Whakatane police, said it appeared methylated spirits next to a fish smoker in the garage had caught alight.
The man was burned when curtains caught fire as he was trying to move items outside.
Whakatane chief fire officer Ken Clark said the small three-bedroom house and adjoining garage were engulfed in flames when the brigade arrived and it took 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
The injured man is in a serious but stable condition in Whakatane Hospital.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
Man seriously burned in Whakatane fire
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