A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman revealed that a member of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was severely burnt after a portable toilet exploded in central Queensland, this morning. The spokeswoman said that he went to the toilet at about 9.30am and probably was lighting a cigarette at the time of the explosion.

The authorities are considering the lighting of the cigarette as the likely cause of explosion at this point of time.

She also said that the airman has received third-degree burns in his head, face, arms, chest and airways. The

The airman was participating in the Australia-United States joint military exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, which was underway at the airport. The airman received immediate first aid from his colleagues and he was taken to the Rockhampton Base Hospital with severe burns. Later, the RAAF member was transferred to a hospital in Brisbane for further treatment.

The Department of Community Safety has revealed that the ADF is working with Queensland authorities to investigate the incident. The spokeswoman told the Courier-Mail newspaper, “I can confirm that an incident has happened but we’re still gathering information”.