Orewa College blast victim with 90 per cent burns: St John's officer

Emergency services at Orewa College today. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

The two men critically injured when a boiler exploded at Orewa College today
have head injuries and massive burns as a result of the blast.

They are understood to be a school caretaker and a contractor who was working on the boiler.

One News reported both men were undergoing surgery at Auckland Hospital tonight.

St John Ambulance spokesman Murray Bannister said one man was understood to have burns to 90 per cent of his body.

A third person, who was not hurt in the explosion but was upset at what had happened, was treated at the scene.

Both St John and the Fire Service were alerted about 2.40pm.

Principal Kate Shevland said tonight staff and pupils heard a loud explosion and could see steam coming from the boiler room.

An evacuation drill was initiated, and the school nurse and other staff members began giving first aid to the men until ambulance officers arrived.

Ms Shevland said the two men were checking out the boiler, which had a malfunction yesterday.

She believed one of them was in the room and the other outside when the explosion occurred.

While there was no obvious damage to any of the classrooms, the school would be closed tomorrow to assess the extent to which the heating system might have been affected.

Ms Shevland said counselling would be available for students who witnessed the incident and for staff members involved in administering first aid.

"We're all very upset that two people have been very seriously injured as a result of this," she said.

Orewa College student Jamie White said he heard the explosion and felt the vibrations.

"I've never heard anything like it. It was a real solid bang," Mr White said.

He said he and other students ran to the boiler room but were turned away by teachers who were already there.

"We saw smoke pouring from the top [of the building]," and there was a spray of water, Mr White said.

Department of Labour spokesman Eric Janse van Rensburg confirmed that the department was investigating the explosion.

He would not give anymore information but said more will be known following the investigation.

Mr van Rensburg said inspectors from the department are at the scene.

- with NZPA