Dave CampbellA gas bottle exploded at a holiday park in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, at approximately 6pm on Sunday 5 April 2026, injuring two people and prompting an emergency rescue helicopter response. A woman in her 50s was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital burns unit in serious condition. The incident — the second major LPG explosion at an Australian holiday park in recent months — has renewed concerns about how safely Australians are storing and maintaining gas cylinders at home.
What Happened in Tweed Heads
Emergency services were called to the BIG4 holiday park in Tweed Heads on Sunday afternoon following reports of an explosion. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance to assist with the incident, with two people sustaining serious burns. The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been publicly confirmed, though investigations are ongoing.
The Tweed Heads incident follows a separate gas explosion at a Lake Conjola holiday park in January 2026, which injured five people including two children. These are not isolated events — WorkSafe Victoria records show dozens of reported LPG incidents annually across Australian residences, caravan parks, and commercial properties.
Why LPG Cylinders Are a Serious Hazard at Home
Most Australian homes use LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders for outdoor barbecues, portable heaters, and hot water systems. According to WorkSafe ACT's guidance on LP gas safety, cylinders that are past their test date, improperly stored, or physically damaged can leak — and leaks can lead to fire, explosion, injury, or death.
The risks are higher than most homeowners realise because:
- LPG is heavier than air. Unlike natural gas, LPG sinks when it escapes and can accumulate in low-lying areas — under decks, in garages, or near ignition sources — before anyone smells it.
- Cylinders have a testing schedule. Under Australian Standards AS/NZS 1596:2014, gas cylinders must be inspected and restamped at approved testing stations after a set period. An out-of-date cylinder must not be refilled until retested. Many homeowners are unaware their cylinders carry a stamped expiry date.
- Indoor storage is strictly regulated. The maximum quantity of LP gas cylinders kept indoors — or in any space enclosed by a roof and three or more walls — is 10kg per 10 square metres of floor area, up to 30kg. Exceeding this is a compliance breach and a genuine fire risk.
What Australian Home Owners Should Check Today
Following the Tweed Heads incident, home improvement and building compliance experts recommend a five-point safety check for any property using LPG:
1. Check the test date stamp. Every cylinder has a stamped date showing when it was last tested. If it has expired, do not use or refill the cylinder — take it to an approved testing station.
2. Inspect hoses and fittings for wear. LPG hoses should be inspected annually and replaced every five years, or sooner if cracked, brittle, or showing any signs of wear. Fittings should be checked for corrosion.
3. Check storage conditions. Cylinders must be stored upright, outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, away from heat sources and ignition points. Storing cylinders indoors or in enclosed spaces such as a garden shed or under a staircase is unsafe and illegal.
4. Know the signs of a leak. LPG smells like rotten eggs or cabbage. If you detect this odour, do not turn lights on or off, do not use a phone near the cylinder, extinguish any naked flames, and move away from the area immediately before calling the gas supplier.
5. Have your system inspected. If you are uncertain about the condition of your gas appliances or home LPG system, a licensed gas fitter can assess the full installation against current Australian Standards. This is particularly important when purchasing an older property or taking over a rental.
When to Call a Professional
Homeowners who have not had their LPG system assessed in the past two years, who have older cylinders with no visible test date, or who are undertaking home renovations near gas fittings should consult a licensed tradesperson. Under Australian state and territory law, gas work must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter — unlicensed gas work is not only dangerous, it voids home insurance and may create personal liability.
Home improvement consultants can also advise on upgrading older gas systems to modern, safer alternatives — particularly relevant for rental property owners who carry ongoing duty-of-care obligations to tenants. If a gas incident occurs on a rental property, owners may face civil liability if they cannot demonstrate the system was regularly inspected and maintained to the required standard. A professional inspection creates a documented record of compliance that protects both owners and tenants.
According to WorkSafe Victoria's guidance on unsafe and illegal LPG cylinders, any cylinder found to be illegal, modified, or out of test period must be removed from service immediately — and the rules apply equally to residential, commercial, and recreational properties across Australia.
