Five people hospitalised after gas bottle explosion at a festival in Sunnybank Hills

Five people have been taken to hospital with burns after a gas bottle exploded inside a van in Sunnybank Hills, in Brisbane’s south.

Emergency services were called to the corner of Symons and Borella Road about 9.30am following reports of an explosion at a Taiwanese festival.

It is believed an LPG bottle began leaking highly flammable gas, which was ignited when the doors of the vehicle were opened, police said.

Witness Stanley Chu said the flames happened “extremely quickly”.

“The naked flames just shot up,” he said.

The truck pulled up near a lit BBQ, which quickly ignited the leaking gas bottle.

Two people, including the 63-year-old truck driver, suffered severe burns and were taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

He is in a stable condition after being placed in an induced coma. His 27-year-old daughter is also in a stable condition.

Three others sustained minor burns and were taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Queensland Police Senior Sergeant Rohan Manning-Jones said it was a warning for people to always be vigilant with gas bottles.

“Always check them and ensure they are properly tightened and closed,” he said.

Workplace Health and Safety are also investigating the incident.