Five people have suffered burns, including to the face, in an explosion near Port Stephens believed to have been ignited when a flammable liquid was poured onto a fire pit.
Emergency services attended a home on Sandy Point Road, Corlette, in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, shortly after 5:00pm on Sunday.
A 16-year-old boy suffered burns to his face, arms and torso.
He remains in a critical condition.
A man and a woman, both in their 40s, were treated for burns to their legs and torso.
All three were flown by rescue helicopter to Royal North Shore Hospital.
Two others, a man and woman in their 40s, were treated at the scene for burns to their face and torso and were taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.
Police said an initial investigation suggested the explosion occurred after a flammable liquid was poured onto a fire pit on a patio.
A crime scene has been established.
