Man burnt by water heater explosion at Runaway Bay

HOMEOWNERS have been warned to leave repairs to the experts after a Gold Coast man was severely injured by an exploding hot water system at the weekend.

The Runaway Bay man was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with major burns to his face, chest and arms.

Critical care paramedics and the high acuity response unit were called to the residence at Runaway Bay just after 3pm on Saturday after reports of an explosion.

The man was taken to the hospital in a serious but stable condition by ambulance with critical care paramedics on board.

The incident has prompted warnings from the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) advising homeowners not to do their own plumbing work unless they are a licensed person.

MPAQ president Kent Vickers said plumbers did a minimum four-year apprenticeship.

“While not only illegal, it can be extremely dangerous to perform plumbing, drainage or gas work without holding the appropriate licences and knowledge,” Mr Vickers said.

The unintentional or deliberate disabling of valves on hot water systems removes the ability of the system to expel excess pressure, basically turning a household water heater into a bomb, according to the MPAQ.