Youth received burns in black powder explosion

At approximately 4.00 pm, 21/05/08, Police were advised of a small explosion that had occurred in the Halswell area.

Ambulance attended and located a youth that had 18% burns to the front of his body.

The youth appears to have located a quantity of black powder of the type used in pyrotechnics and ignited it.

Police, the Department of Labour and Army Defence staff are investigating.

The burns suffered by the youth are not life threatening.