By Aneeka Simonis
A TYNONG North man was airlifted to hospital with serious burns following a backyard bonfire explosion.
The 50-year-old Tynong North man was reported as having first-degree burns to his face and neck and second-degree burns to his arms before he was airlifted to The Alfred hospital after 7.30pm on Sunday 18 December.
Police said the injuries were a result of the man’s last minute burn-off, with the fire restriction period setting in the next day.
The man was burning woodchips in his McInnes Road, Tynong North backyard.
Police said he doused the bonfire with accelerant, causing it to flare up and catch onto his face and arms.
The man immediately rolled around on the ground to extinguish the flames, but still came away with very serious burns and had to be airlifted to hospital.
Pakenham police Senior Sergeant Nathan Prowd said it was “very irresponsible” of the man whose children were reportedly present at the time. No one else was injured.
Fire authorities declared a Fire Danger Period for Cardinia Shire starting on 19 December.
