Adelaide flatmates 'lucky to be alive' after hairspray can explosion

An explosion that ripped through a Woodville Park townhouse was caused by a tossed cigarette butt and an aerosol can.

One of the residents tossed a cigarette butt in the bathroom bin about 11.30am today, which ignited rubbish and caused a hairspray can to explode.

The explosion blasted away plasterboard and insulation, caused part of the ceiling to collapse and pushed a wall 30cm into the adjoining bedroom.

“The amount of damage that it caused, the sudden release of energy was astounding. If someone was in that room it could have potentially been fatal,” Metropolitan Fire Service officer Gary Haylock said.

“It really, really shocked me and the rest of us here.”

Police and fire investigators carefully examined the damage today and declared the explosion an accident.

No injuries were reported, but the repair bill is expected to reach $40,000.