Police may still lay charges over an explosion in a Mangere house caused by three teenagers who were inhaling gas.
The Mangere house where three teenagers were badly injured while huffing. Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton
The three teenagers, who were seriously injured in the explosion in South Auckland, were on fire and "had to be put out", police say.
St John ambulance spokesperson Norm Ngatai said two girls aged 14 and 15 and a 17-year-old boy had been inhaling aerosol transferred into a plastic bag - a practice known as huffing - in a house in Mangere about 11pm yesterday.
One lit a cigarette, sparking an explosion so strong the teens were hit by a fireball which blew out windows and caused extensive damage to a room.
They received serious burns to their arms, face and legs, Mr Ngati said.
Inspector Dave Glossop said huffing butane was extremely dangerous and the three suffered a number of injuries.
"Trauma from the explosion and burns," he said. "People were literally on fire and have had to be put out."
The explosion was so severe curtains from the room were blown into a neighbouring property, he said.
The teens were treated at the scene before being taken to Middlemore Hospital, where the girls were in a critical condition in intensive care and the boy in a stable condition.
Mr Glossop said the teenagers were unlikely to be well enough to speak to police for several days but their injuries were not expected to be life-threatening.
He said police were speaking to other people who were at the house and have not ruled out charges.
"They were doing a dangerous act, which has resulted in very disastrous consequences, so we just have to make sure there are no liabilities and care and protection issues involved."