'I thought a plane had hit the unit'

An explosion has destroyed a unit on George St, Beenleigh. Picture: Marc Robertson Source: The Courier-Mail

A MAN has died, one man left badly injured and a unit complex was evacuated after an explosion in Beenleigh, south of Brisbane.

Police said about  9.20pm, an explosion occurred in a unit on George Street that is believed to have been caused by a gas bottle being deliberately ignited.

A 52-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, and a man, 47, suffered significant burns and is in a serious condition in the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

A police spokesman said the 52-year-old man was in a neighbouring unit at the time of the explosion and was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a heart attack.

An explosion has destroyed a unit on George St, Beenleigh. Picture: Marc Robertson

The 47-year-old man is believed to have been alone in his unit when the gas bottle exploded.

Several other apartments in the 16-unit complex were damaged by the explosion and four residents were treated for shock and minor injuries.

George Street between Boundary and Bougainville streets was quickly closed with traffic diversions in place.

An explosion has destroyed a unit on George St, Beenleigh. Resident are evacuated from the units. Picture: Marc Robertson

In the aftermath, residents sat on the footpath in their dressing gowns and pyjamas, shocked by what they had seen.

"It was quite frightening, not what you expect on a Friday night," one unit owner said.

A neighbour, who tried to help, said it was like nothing he had ever seen before.

An explosion has destroyed a unit on George St, Beenleigh. Picture: Marc Robertson

"I had just woken from a nap, was sitting watching TV when there was the biggest noise I have ever heard," he said.

"The whole building rocked, I thought a plane had hit the unit."

He ran out his front door to what he described as an inferno.

An explosion has destroyed a unit on George St Beenleigh. A resident is evacuated from the units. Picture: Marc Robertson

"I could hear screaming and yelling, I grabbed my phone and the fire extinguisher and went out the front," he said.

"It was like a furnace, the whole place was engulfed in flames."

Many of the older neighbours were too distressed to talk.

Those who knew the deceased man said they were deeply saddened by the tragedy.

A mini-bus transferred about 16 people to the Beenleigh PCYC centre, where they stayed for the night.

Others went to stay with friends and family, told they may not be able to return for 48 hours.

A police spokesman said alternate housing would be arranged for any other nights.

George Street remained blocked for several hours after the incident.

Many nearby residents were unable to drive to their homes, instead forced to park and walk.

Senior Sergeant Peter Gray said the complex would remain in lock-down until fire crews and the scientific investigations were complete.

A full investigation will be launched and a report will be prepared for the coroner, he said.

The unit owner suffered life-threatening injuries; those who saw him taken away said he was "not in a good way".

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