Worker dies in fridge explosion

A man has died in hospital after a gas explosion erupted while he and another man were working on a refrigerator unit at a country hotel in Victoria's north yesterday afternoon.

The two men, aged 34 and 52, had been working in the cellar of Hotel Rochester, in Rochester, but were unaware of a gas leak, The Age reports.

It is believed something sparked an ignition as the men were removing a motor from above a refrigeration unit.

They suffered burns to 40-50 percent of their bodies, including facial burns and internal injuries in the subsequent explosion and flash fire.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the hotel about 1.30pm.

The men were stablised at the scene before being air lifted to hospital.

The 34-year-old man died last night with the other man remains in a critical but stable condition.

Police and WorkCover are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and will prepare a report for the coroner.

Source: The Age
Author: Erin Tennant, Approving editor: Nicholas McCallum