Burnt teens in stable condition

File photo / Dean Purcell

Two teenagers are in a stable condition in Auckland's Middlemore Hospital tonight after suffering burns when a gas cylinder is believed to have exploded in their faces.

George McHardy, 17, and his 14-year-old friend Jordan Naqih were described as being in a stable condition in the hospital's intensive care unit.

Police said that early indications were that the pair was playing with the cylinder in the west Auckland suburb of Massey yesterday when someone nearby lit a cigarette causing the explosion.

Both teens ran to shops in the nearby Westgate Mall at Massey screaming for help.

Cold water was applied to their badly burnt skin before they were taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital at 3pm.

A witness said the skin was hanging off George McHardy's face.

- NZPA