A MAN has died in a 'freak' explosion on the Central Coast and residents have been evacuated from the area.
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Just after 7am on Father's Day, Sunday September 9, emergency services were called to reports of a loud noise and possible explosion in Quinalup Street, Gwandalan.
It is believed the explosion of a highly-flammable oxy acetylene cylinder, commonly used by plumbers and trades people for cutting and heating, ignited both a car and a nearby building.
According to police, bystanders were first on scene and found a man near a vehicle suffering serious burns. The bystanders, including an off-duty paramedic, commenced CPR before ambulances officers arrived on scene and took over.
Six NSW Ambulance crews, including a specialist medical team, were dispatched to the location. Upon arrival, paramedics treated the man for significant burns to his body, they continued CPR, but despite their best efforts he could not be saved.
Four fire crews remained on scene and police established a 200 metre exclusion zone around the site. Residents were evacuated from homes on Imga and Quinalup streets.
A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman described the incident as a "freak accident" and said the type of explosion made the scene "quite volatile".
"It will be quite difficult to extinguish," he said.
Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District have established a crime scene and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"We've got houses with windows blown out, we're very lucky there was only one person injured but unfortunately passed away," he said.
In a press conference on Sunday Tuggerah Lakes police Acting Inspector Steve Wade said debris had been thrown onto neighbouring houses in the explosion.
NSW Ambulance duty operations manager Rob Ryan has commended the efforts of the bystanders who were first on scene.
"A bystander who commenced CPR prior to our arrival should be commended - his actions were extremely brave," he said.
"Unfortunately the man suffered critical burns and paramedics did absolutely everything they could, to provide lifesaving treatment, but they were unable to save him.
"This is a devastating outcome for everyone involved, but none more so than his family.
"This was an extremely dangerous and risky job to respond to.
"While the patient is our priority, our safety also has to remain a priority, and we made sure we took all the proper precautions and necessary risk assessments"
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