THREE police officers have suffered serious burns in an explosion in a siege in southeast Sydney.
It’s believed a man in a Botany home doused himself in petrol during a stand-off with police.
New South Wales tactical police arrived at the home in Stephen Rd just after 11.15am after the man, aged in his 50s, barricaded himself in a garage underneath an apartment block.
Just after 3pm they forced their way into the garage and three officers and the man were injured in a fire that then “erupted”.
They entered the garage out of “concerns for the man’s welfare”, police said.
The man doused himself in petrol while he was in a car in the garage and the officers were injured as they dragged him from the vehicle, the Nine Network reported.
Neighbours have told media of hearing a loud explosion after “hours” of negotiation failed to get the man to
“There was a big explosion and then the police screamed at us to get out,” a neighbour told Ten Eyewitness News.
Two of the injured police officers have been taken to Prince of Wales Hospital, while the other and the injured man are in St George Hospital.
The officer’s are believed to have serious face and back burns, as well as to their arms, hands and chest.
The injuries are not considered life-threatening.
A fourth police officer was treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Inquiries into the incident continue by officers attached to Botany Bay Local Area Command.