Two women and a number of children had a lucky escape after an attempt to re-ignite a fire drum went horribly wrong.

Fire crews were called just after 11pm last night when a fire broke out in a Erumba Street Unit. NT Fire and Rescue Service Station Officer John Pyper said the fire appears to have started after a woman poured unleaded fuel from a beer can onto a 44-gallon fire drum to restart the fire which had begun to die down.

The fumes from the fuel ignited and then quickly set fire to a 20 litre jerry can of fuel which was near an air-conditioning unit. The air conditioning unit caught fire and quickly spread to the laundry area which sustained severe fire damage. The kitchen and the rest of the unit sustained extensive smoke damage.

Residents quickly evacuated the building and used a fire hose to bring the fire under control.

Station Officer Pyper said during the incident the woman sustained minor injuries after her jacket caught fire.

"This should provide a stark warning to people that under no circumstances should flammable liquids be used around naked flames," Mr Pyper said.

"These people are incredibly lucky to be alive, as the fire was very close to causing a huge explosion."


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Theresa Kuilboer
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