Horror as apartment unit is engulfed in flames following mystery explosion – as man is rushed to hospital with serious burns Man rushed to hospital with severe burns after unit explosion on Thursday Emergency services rushed to a building on Darby St in Cooks Hill, Newcastle The unit had become engulfed in flames following an explosion at 6.45am 41-year-old man was airlifted to Royal North Shore hospital in critical condition By Miriah Davis For Daily Mail Australia Published: 01:47 BST, 21 October 2021 | Updated: 02:11 BST, 21 October 2021 Viewcomments A man has been rushed to hospital after suffering horrific burns following an apartment explosion in Newcastle. Emergency services involving four paramedic crews and a specialist medical team arrived to Darby Street in Cooks Hills after a unit had become engulfed in flames at about 6.45am Thursday. A 41-year-old man was treated on the scene by an off-duty nurse before he was airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition. It's believed the man suffered severe burns which may have compromised his airways. Shocked residents were evacuated from the building near Newcastle’s CBD this morning where NSW Fire and Rescue crews put out the blaze a short time later. Darby Street has since reopened to traffic following the incident. NSW Police have now established a crime scene and are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. A man has been rushed to hospital suffering serious burns after an apartment explosion in Newcastle Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility