[kall]

From NewstalkZB

An explosion at a school in the Far North has ripped through a classroom wall and injured seven people, one seriously.

It is understood an oxy-acetylene cylinder, used for welding, exploded in a Kaitaia College metalwork class around one o'clock Monday afternoon .

Wood and glass debris strewn across the room injured a teacher and six students.

Whangarei ambulance staff report that one of the 15-year-old students has serious head injuries.

Northland fire support officer, Colin Kitchen, says fire safety officers are inspecting the scene.

He says all the windows and a wall were blown out by the explosion.

An intensive care team has been flown to Kaitaia Hospital.

OSH, Fire Safety and the Department of Labour are all investigating the scene.

Calling all Kaitaia College alumni.

NZB hopes none of your friends or family were hurt.

[Lina]

Nope, thank goodness

Mine doesn't go there anymore!

[kall]

An update is coming up on 3...

Seems one of the boys is still in a critical condition...has had a bloodclot removed from his brain.

Will report when I hear it.

He is on life support, with 3 other children and a teacher still in hospital.

6 students were involved in the explosion.

When the fire brigade arrived they found that one of their own members was injured (the teacher) and one firefighter's son was one of the kids.

*shivers*

I want to know the results of the investigation.

[Lina]

What's going on in our lil' old town these days?

Every time I drive through it seems smaller and older, almost like a friendly old grandparent when you were a kid growing up.

[Sparklechick]

Kaikohe (where I'm from) is apparently a complete and utter hole now.

Can't say I'm surprised really.

[kall]

The Kaitaia College metalwork room is *also* a complete and utter hole now.