Man suffers burns after lighting rubbish fire with petrol

The man was treated at the scene by St John ambulance paramedics. Photo / File

A man who was burning rubbish with petrol at his Bay of Plenty home suffered burns to his torso, arms and legs but managed to cover his face.

The 24-year-old man was airlifted to Waikato Hospital by the Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue helicopter after the incident in Murupara in the Bay of Plenty about 3.30pm yesterday.

Helicopter pilot Todd Durham said the man was burning rubbish in his back yard using petrol, when the can he was using ignited.

He said it appeared the can then exploded.

"The petrol ignited while he was pouring it, and it has gone back into the container."

The man was badly burned on his arms, legs and torso but managed to cover his face, he said.

Mr Durham said the burns were quite severe, and caused the man pain and discomfort.

The man was treated at the scene by St John ambulance paramedics before being taken to a nearby school field where the helicopter could land.

An update on his condition today was being sought