Two badly burnt in Sydney gas bottle explosion
An explosion believed to involve gas bottles at a western Sydney factory has left two people with severe burns.
Emergency services were called to the property at Smithfield late Tuesday afternoon, with firefighters reporting multiple cylinders alight.
The blast sparked a large fire in what appears to be the rear of a metal recycling business.
Two people were treated for serious injuries by paramedics at the site before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.
One had burns to a third of his body, including his airways, while 18 per cent of the second victim’s body had been burnt, NSW Ambulance said.
They are reported to be in a critical condition.
As many as a dozen fire crews were on site, according to Fire and Rescue NSW.
The blaze forced the closure of part of the Cumberland Highway.
-AAP