What Should You Do If You Witness an Explosion and Multiple Burn Injuries?

A gas explosion in Ravenshoe, Queensland, several years ago highlighted just how quickly an ordinary day can turn into a life-threatening emergency.

According to reports at the time, a vehicle collided with gas cylinders behind a café, triggering a significant explosion. Witnesses stated the blast could be felt up to 100 metres away, demonstrating the force of the incident.

The people inside the café had little or no warning. Within moments, patrons were fleeing the building with serious burn injuries, while others required assistance to escape.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the incident was the immediate response from bystanders.

How Do People Typically React During an Emergency?

Footage from the scene showed members of the public rushing towards the damaged building immediately after the explosion.

Many entered the danger zone to help those who could not escape on their own, carrying injured people to safety.

While this response was courageous, it was also extremely dangerous.

In emergencies, people often act instinctively rather than consciously assessing the risks around them. The desire to help others can override concerns about personal safety.

Fortunately, the actions of these bystanders helped remove people from immediate danger and allowed treatment to begin quickly.

What Is the First Priority After an Explosion?

Before providing first aid, the first priority is always scene safety.

An explosion can create multiple hazards, including:

• Damaged electrical wiring
• Ongoing gas leaks
• Structural instability
• Flying debris
• Broken glass
• Fire and smoke

This is why first aiders should follow the DRSABCD Action Plan.

Before approaching casualties, ensure the scene is safe for both rescuers and patients.

If possible, move injured people away from the immediate danger area and establish a safe location where first aid can be provided.

How Do Emergency Services Manage Multiple Casualties?

When ambulance crews arrive at a major incident involving multiple patients, a structured response is implemented.

Two important roles are often established:

What Does a Triage Officer Do?

A Triage Officer assesses all patients and prioritises treatment based on the severity of their injuries.

Patients with life-threatening conditions are identified quickly so they can receive urgent care.

What Does a Transport Officer Do?

A Transport Officer coordinates the movement of patients to appropriate medical facilities.

Effective communication between all emergency personnel is essential during a mass casualty incident.

What Types of Injuries Can Occur During an Explosion?

Explosions commonly result in two major categories of injury:

• Burns
• Blast injuries

Both can be serious and potentially life-threatening.

What Is a Blast Injury?

Blast injuries occur when the pressure wave generated by an explosion passes through the body.

These injuries may not always be visible but can be extremely serious.

Areas most commonly affected include:

• Ears
• Lungs
• Hollow organs such as the stomach and intestines

One of the most serious complications is lung contusion (bruising of the lungs), which can lead to swelling, bleeding, and impaired oxygen exchange.

People exposed to explosions may also suffer:

• Breathing difficulties
• Internal injuries
• Hearing damage
• Spinal injuries
• Head injuries

For this reason, casualties should be monitored carefully, even if they appear relatively well immediately after the incident.

Why Are Airway Burns a Major Concern?

Burns are often the most obvious injury following an explosion.

While burns can affect any part of the body, airway burns present one of the greatest immediate threats.

Hot gases and smoke can be inhaled during an explosion, causing swelling inside the airway.

This swelling may progressively worsen and can eventually obstruct breathing.

Warning signs include:

• Hoarse voice
• Noisy breathing
• Facial burns
• Singed facial hair
• Difficulty breathing

Any signs of airway involvement should be treated as a medical emergency.

How Should You Treat Burn Injuries?

Once the scene is safe and emergency services have been contacted, first aid treatment can begin.

1. Rest and Reassure the Patient

Keep the casualty calm and comfortable.

Patients experiencing breathing difficulties may be more comfortable sitting upright.

2. Assess Airway and Breathing

Look for signs of airway involvement such as:

• Hoarseness
• Noisy breathing
• Facial burns
• Smoke inhalation

Breathing difficulties require urgent medical attention.

3. Cool the Burn

Cool the affected area using cool running water where available.

Cooling helps:

• Reduce pain
• Limit tissue damage
• Improve patient comfort

Avoid using ice or iced water.

4. Remove Jewellery and Restrictive Items

Swelling can occur rapidly after a burn injury.

Remove:

• Rings
• Watches
• Bracelets
• Tight clothing

Do this as early as possible before swelling develops.

5. Remove Loose Clothing Around the Burn

Carefully remove clothing that is not stuck to the skin.

Never pull away clothing that has adhered to the burn.

6. Elevate Burned Limbs Where Possible

If practical, elevate injured limbs to help minimise swelling.

7. Cover the Burn

Cover burns with a sterile, non-stick dressing.

Cling wrap can be an effective temporary dressing when applied correctly.

Important: Place cling wrap loosely over the burn. Do not wrap it tightly around a limb.

A clean plastic bag may also be suitable for burns affecting the hand.

8. Keep the Patient Warm

While cooling the burn is important, preventing hypothermia is equally critical.

Large burn injuries can rapidly lower body temperature.

Monitor the casualty closely and maintain normal body warmth.

9. Continue Monitoring Airway and Breathing

Burn injuries can deteriorate over time.

Regularly reassess the patient’s airway and breathing while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Are Burn Gels Better Than Running Water?

Hydrogel burn products can be useful when cool running water is unavailable.

However, they should be used with caution.

Covering large burn areas with hydrogel products may contribute to hypothermia, particularly in severe burns.

Cool running water remains the preferred first aid treatment where available.

Why Are Burn Injuries So Painful?

Anyone who has touched a hot pan or experienced a splash of hot oil knows how painful even a small burn can be.

Now imagine the intense heat generated by a gas explosion.

For many victims, the experience would have felt like being exposed to a blowtorch.

Burn injuries can cause significant pain, trauma, and long-term physical and emotional effects.

What Are the Key First Aid Lessons From a Gas Explosion?

Major incidents such as the Ravenshoe gas explosion remind us of several important first aid principles:

• Ensure scene safety before approaching casualties.
• Follow the DRSABCD Action Plan.
• Remove casualties from ongoing danger where safe to do so.
• Prioritise airway and breathing assessments.
• Cool burns promptly and appropriately.
• Prevent hypothermia.
• Monitor casualties continuously until emergency services arrive.

While explosions are rare, knowing how to respond can make a significant difference to patient outcomes during a critical emergency.

Written by Steve Riley