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Three people were injured, two seriously, in an explosion at an Invercargill home on Wednesday.
Emergency services have been called to reports of an explosion at Rothesay Place, Rockdale.
Police were alerted to the incident shortly before 1:30 p.m.
A spokesperson for St John said three patients were evaluated at the scene.
Two suffered serious injuries and were taken to Southland Hospital. A third person suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
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A New Zealand Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the home’s kitchen and dining room were on fire when firefighters arrived.
Three people were evacuated from the property and placed in the care of St John.
Firefighters had to wear breathing apparatus to put out the fire and were now assisting fire safety officials with their investigation.
Robyn Edie / Stuff
Emergency services were called after an explosion at a house in Rothesay Place.
There was moderate damage to the home and it appeared to be Housing New Zealand property, the spokesperson said.
“The information we got from the ambulance was that it was some kind of explosion at his house.”
Laces have been established.
A spokesperson for Kāinga Ora (Housing NZ) confirmed that the incident occurred at one of their properties.
“Our team is working with affected tenants to ensure that they receive all the support they need at this critical time.”
The government department said it would not provide further details about the property and / or tenants and referred all other questions about the incident to the police.
A man who lives nearby in Glenalmond Cr said he heard an explosion and his house shook.
Dan Anderson, who lives in Rothesay Pl, said his neighbors in the house where the blast is believed to have occurred were good people.
Another man who lives in Rothesay Pl said he was asleep at the time and the explosion woke him up.
Then he heard a child scream but did not know what had happened.
At 3.25pm, a police spokesman said they could not confirm any details at this stage as investigations were ongoing.
