REVEALED: Family-of-seven cheat death as home is destroyed when gas from TEN bug bombs triggers stove explosion
- The house exploded at about 7am in Ashbury, in Sydney's inner west
- Firefighter said it was the result of 10 bug bombs and a gas stove
- Seven family members were in the home at the time aged between eight and 73
- Fire and Rescue said the home was 'a complete write off' and will be destroyed
A family-of-seven had to clamber out of the rubble of their suburban home after ten bug bombs were set off inside and the gas triggered a stove explosion that almost killed the residents.
The house on Fifth Street in Ashbury, in Sydney's inner west, blew up at 7am on Easter Sunday with children as young as eight and their elderly grandparents inside.
A firefighter who was on the scene said the explosion - which destroyed 90 per cent of the home - was a warning to everyone about the dangers posed by the bug bombs.
'If you are bug bombing your home, please read the instructions carefully and turn off power at the circuit breakers!,' he said.
The Country Fire Authority has issued a warning over the use of the over-the-counter bug bombs, which are designed to kill insects in homes and businesses.
The house on Fifth Street in Ashbury, in Sydney's inner west, blew up at 7am on Easter Sunday with children as young as eight and their elderly grandparents inside. Pictured: before and after the incident
A firefighter who was on the scene said the explosion - which destroyed 90 per cent of the home - was a result of 10 bug bombs and a gas stove
'Only use the recommended number of containers for the size of the room (ensure that the room meets the minimum sized room for the canister) and eliminate all ignition sources prior to and during the use of bug bombs,' the authority said.
'To eliminate ignition sources, switch off the electricity at the mains and turn off gas fuelled pilot lights, such as pilot lights for stoves and hot water systems, ensure that these are turned off prior to and during the operation of bug bombs.
'You also need to ensure that there is no smoking in the vicinity of the room in which the bug bomb is to be used.'
Two children, aged eight and 12, their 41-year-old father and 38-year-old mother, and three grandparents in their 60s and 70s were in the home at the time.
Five people were able to escape the collapsed structure themselves, but two of the grandparents had to be rescued by police.
One child and one of the grandparents suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital in a stable condition.
It's believed the family were all in the same room when the explosion happened.
Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Superintendent Scott Dodson said some of the family members were found on top of the rubble, and were 'extremely lucky to have survived'.
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Mr Dodson said the home was 'a complete write off' and will have to be destroyed.
'There was no major earthworks required to remove the people, but … it was quite dangerous for the firefighters entering the building,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Neighbours said the explosion sounded like a clap of thunder, followed by a rumbling noise.
Police said seven people were in the home at the time aged between eight and 73. Three members of the family suffered minor injuries
