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The scene of the container fire - Source: ONE News -
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A Hamilton man is being hailed a hero after rescuing a badly burned boy after an explosion.
Three boys had been in what appeared to be a shipping container converted into an external bedroom on Rimu St, when it appeared one of the boys lit a cigarette causing some kind of accelerant to ignite, police say.
Next door neighbour Paul Temple says he was outside on a couch when he heard a commotion.
"A young boy raced around and said his brother was on fire," he says.
"I ran round and found him still in the container so dragged him clear and began pouring water on his injuries until ambulance officers arrived."
The 14-year-old boy suffered burns to about 65% of his body and is in a serious condition in Waikato Hospital.
Another 11-year-old boy suffered minor to moderate injuries.
Emergency services, which arrived about 11am to find the container blazing, praised Temple's actions.
Hamilton police were looking at acknowledging what he did.
Police and fire safety officers were investigating what the accelerant was and why it was in the container.
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