A quiet morning in Brisbane’s northern suburbs was shattered on Tuesday when a vehicle exploded in a car park on Telegraph Road, Fitzgibbon. The incident, which occurred shortly after 7:30am, prompted a significant emergency response and was heard by residents across several surrounding suburbs, including Bracken Ridge, Taigum, Sandgate, and Zillmere. The explosion occurred near the Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza and the Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre, causing alarm among locals who reported hearing a sound described as similar to a bomb detonating. Emergency services arrived to find a sedan engulfed in flames. According to the Queensland Ambulance Service, an elderly couple was inside the vehicle at the time of the incident. A woman in her 70s sustained a leg injury, while a man reported ear pain. Both were transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in stable conditions. Bystanders at the scene reportedly assisted the pair in escaping the vehicle immediately following the blast. Fire crews from the Taigum Fire Station arrived promptly and managed to bring the fire under control by approximately 8:10am. Subsequent investigations by fire authorities determined that the explosion was caused by an acetylene gas cylinder stored in the boot of the vehicle. It is understood that the cylinder had been leaking, creating a dangerous concentration of gas within the enclosed space of the car. Station Officer Tony Lawrie noted that the driver had reportedly purchased the cylinder from a Bunnings store the previous day. After noticing a smell of gas while at home, the driver was in the process of returning the item when the incident occurred. Upon opening the boot, the accumulated gas ignited, resulting in a powerful blast that caused extensive damage to the vehicle and affected several nearby cars. Debris was scattered across the car park, and the force of the explosion was felt in nearby buildings. Firefighters have highlighted the extreme instability of acetylene gas, warning that cylinders exposed to heat or fire pose a significant hazard. Authorities have expressed relief that the couple escaped with relatively minor injuries, given the intensity of the explosion and the proximity of the incident to a public recreation precinct. Bunnings has confirmed it is aware of the incident and is cooperating with ongoing investigations into the condition of the cylinder and the circumstances surrounding the leak. Further details may be updated as more information becomes available. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with transporting compressed gas cylinders and the necessity of adhering to strict safety protocols when handling hazardous materials. Emergency crews remained on-site for a period following the blaze to ensure the area was secure and to conduct a thorough assessment of the scene.
A powerful car explosion in Brisbane’s northern suburbs has left an elderly couple injured and sparked a major emergency response after a leaking gas cylinder detonated inside a vehicle parked near a community recreation precinct. The blast occurred on Telegraph Road at Fitzgibbon, close to the Bracken Ridge Skate Plaza and the Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre, and was reportedly heard across multiple surrounding suburbs. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 7:30am following reports that a sedan had burst into flames in a car park. Witnesses described hearing an enormous explosion that shook nearby buildings and prompted fears that a major incident had occurred. Residents in Bracken Ridge, Taigum, Sandgate and Zillmere reported hearing the loud bang from several kilometres away. According to Queensland Ambulance Service officials, a woman in her 70s suffered a leg injury while a man experienced ear pain following the blast. Both were transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in stable conditions. Members of the public reportedly assisted the pair in escaping the vehicle moments after the explosion occurred. Fire crews from Taigum Fire Station quickly responded to the incident and brought the blaze under control by around 8:10am. Investigators later determined that an acetylene gas cylinder stored in the boot of the vehicle was likely responsible for the explosion. Authorities said the cylinder had been leaking gas, creating a highly dangerous environment inside the enclosed space. Station Officer Tony Lawrie explained that the driver had reportedly purchased the acetylene cylinder from Bunnings the previous day and had noticed a gas smell while at home. Concerned about the leak, he was attempting to return the cylinder when the incident occurred. When the boot was opened, the accumulated gas ignited and exploded, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and nearby cars. The force of the explosion damaged several surrounding vehicles and sent debris across the car park. Firefighters described acetylene as one of the most unstable industrial gases, warning that cylinders exposed to heat or fire can become extremely hazardous. Authorities noted that the outcome could have been far worse given the location and timing of the incident. Witnesses compared the sound of the explosion to a bomb detonating. Some residents initially believed a major traffic collision or structural incident had occurred before seeing smoke rising from the recreation centre precinct. Emergency crews established a safety zone while firefighters extinguished the blaze and assessed the surrounding area for additional risks. Bunnings confirmed it is aware of the incident and is assisting with investigations into how the gas cylinder came to be leaking. Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the explosion, including the condition of the cylinder and whether any manufacturing or handling issues contributed to the event. Despite the dramatic nature of the blast, emergency services said the couple were fortunate to escape with relatively minor injuries. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with transporting compressed gas cylinders and the importance of following safety procedures when handling potentially hazardous materials.
