2 hospitalized following explosion at western Sydney apartment block

SYDNEY, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Two men have been hospitalized following an explosion at an apartment block in western Sydney on Friday morning.

Emergency services in the state of New South Wales (NSW) were called to the three-level complex in Lidcombe, 15 km west of central Sydney, at about 6:30 a.m. after an explosion blew a hole in the wall of the second story.

An occupant of the building, a man aged in his 40s, was found unconscious inside by firefighters and was taken to the hospital in a serious condition with burns to his face and hands.

A second man in his 60s was also hospitalized to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry told reporters at the scene that at least 10 other people self-evacuated from the building before emergency services arrived.

"We will continue to conduct a search of the property and make sure we have everyone accounted for," he said.

Photographs from the scene published by local media showed a hole in the side of the building and rubble strewn across a wide area.

Dewberry said that the rubble damaged a car parked below.

The gas and electricity supply to the building has been shut off and there was no fire.

An investigation into the cause of the explosion has commenced. Enditem