Sydney man burnt in gas bottle explosion 'ran from home with hair on fire'

Neighbours say a man ran from a home with his hair on fire after a gas bottle exploded in Sydney's west early today. 

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire and explosion at a home in Highland Avenue in Toongabbie just after midnight.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, while paramedics treated to a man in his 20s who was caught up in the explosion. 

He suffered minor burns and was taken to Westmead Hospital for further treatment.

"I heard a massive bang and a big scream, and I actually thought someone had driven into the back of a parked car," neighbour Vanessa Wegnener said.

"He was shaking and he appeared a bit shaken and he had doused himself in water under a neighbour's hose because his hair was on fire."

Fire and Rescue New South Wales has recorded a massive spike in the number of LP gas explosions, with eight in the past week alone.

With the weather warming up, firefighters are urging all home owners to take just a few minutes to check barbeques, leads and gas bottles to ensure all equipment is safe and in good working order.