Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the incident on Richard St in Opotiki this afternoon.
A 17-year-old male accidentally set fire to himself in Opotiki, apparently while using petrol to start a fire, rescuers say.
Emergency services rushed to the scene this afternoon after it was reported a person had been hurt in an explosion.
Police, fire and ambulance crews were attending the incident on
Richard St in Opotiki, a police media spokeswoman said.
The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was sent to Opotiki about 2.30 pm because of the seriousness of the teenager's injuries and the distance to hospital.
Pilot Todd Dunham said the teen was in "considerable pain" but was still talking. He told the crew he had been trying to light a fire with petrol when the explosion happened.
