A fire that was started accidentally on Friday night destroyed a home in Carey Park.
Bunbury Police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Mal Jones said there were four people present at the Balgore Way home when the fire started at 11.10pm.
“The owners of the home are away on holidays and their son is looking after the property,” Senior Sergeant Jones said.
“The fire started in the carport while he was trying to light a gas heater which we believe to be a modified motorcycle exhaust pipe.
“The man could hear gas leaking from the device and it ignited with an explosion in front of him, leaving him with minor burns on his hands and face.”
Senior Sergeant Jones said the fire quickly spread from the carport to the main house, which was completely gutted in the blaze. The four occupants at the home escaped the fire by jumping the fence into a neighbour’s property.
A number of Bunbury fire crews working for more than an hour to get the fire under control, which included sending fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus into the premises while it was still alight.
Senior Sergeant Jones said police had seized the modified exhaust pipe and the Arson Squad had been notified.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said the fire left a damage bill in excess of $250,000.