A woman sustained burns to her face and body after a barbecue exploded on Christmas Eve in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane. The incident occurred shortly after 5pm while Rachel Dear, a mother of two, was preparing dinner outside her caravan.
Upon ignition, the barbecue exploded, causing Ms. Dear to sustain burns. She then reached through the flames to turn off the gas supply, reportedly to prevent further escalation due to concerns for her children inside the nearby caravan. Following the gas shut-off, she extinguished the flames and alerted her children to evacuate the caravan before seeking immediate relief at a nearby beach shower. Ms. Dear reported the experience as painful and acknowledged her fortunate survival.
Ms. Dear stated she was uncertain of the precise cause of the explosion but suspected a gas leak.
Safety Warnings Issued
In response to the incident, Ms. Dear has issued a public safety warning regarding gas barbecue usage. She advises individuals to perform a leak test by spraying a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid over connections; bubbles indicate a potential leak. She also recommends positioning barbecues away from vehicles and caravans.
Emergency services have reiterated these safety recommendations for barbecue use during the summer season. A spokesperson for the Queensland Fire Department emphasized the importance of:
- Scheduling pressure testing for gas cylinders.
- Regularly checking the condition of all hoses and connections for rust or damage.
- Ensuring connections on gas barbecues are tightened.
- Placing barbecues on firm, level bases, sheltered from wind, and away from flammable materials such as sheds, vegetation, and fences.
- Using barbecues only in well-ventilated areas due to potential harm from fumes and gases.
Community Assistance and Recovery
Before the arrival of emergency services, Ms. Dear and her children received assistance from multiple bystanders. Individuals provided clothes, aided her children, and offered comfort, including a nurse who assisted her daughter and a woman who remained with Ms. Dear at the shower until paramedics arrived.
Ms. Dear was subsequently discharged from the hospital. She spent Christmas and New Year's Eve with her 10-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son.