;
Energy type: 
LPG
 
Event summary: 
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) reported a gas explosion accident to WorkSafe Energy Safety where the fuel canister on a hiking cooker had ruptured and ignited, resulting in a person sustaining burns.
 
Accident ID: 
180528-04
 
Accident date: 
27 May 2018
 
Site: 
Public
 
Environment: 
Outside (above ground)
 
Voltage: 
N/A
 
Equipment: 
Camping cooker, canister (LPG)
 
Accident type: 
Fire and explosion
 
Casualty: 
Non-fatality
 
Injury: 
Burn
 
Property damage level: 
Restricted to the direct vicinity of the equipment
 
Outcome of investigation: 

FENZ were informed on the incident when a friend of the victim walked into the local fire station to report it.

A disposable butane canister connected to a hiking cooker had ruptured while in use. The resulting gas release was ignited causing an explosion where the victim received burns to her arms and face.

A metal windshield was being used in conjunction with the cooker. It is believed that the reflected heat from the windshield had overheated the gas canister causing it to overpressure. Although the victim did not recall doing so, she may have reached in and tried to turn the cooker off. With no means to relieve the pressure the overpressure may have been enough to cause the canister to rupture. It is noted that the victim had one arm that was more burned than the other.