A teenage boy remains in a stable condition at a Brisbane hospital after losing his hands when a home-made bomb exploded at a house in Ipswich, west of Brisbane.
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Michael Boggan, 15, was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with extensive blast injuries and underwent emergency surgery last night.
Three other teenagers, aged between 15 and 18, were injured in the blast.
It is believed the device was golf ball packed with explosives
The blast was so severe it blew apart an outdoor furniture setting, including a glass table.
Emergency services found Michael at the Dampier Street house in Leichhardt with serious injuries to his hands about 2.15pm.
A police source said Michael lost both hands in the blast.
Michael was taken by ambulance to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he was due to undergo emergency surgery on Friday night.
Two boys seen running from the house immediately after the blast were later found at nearby shopping centre.
The pair was taken by ambulance to hospital, where they remained under police guard overnight.
A third teenage boy was also taken to hospital, but the nature of his injuries was not known.
A young girl was reportedly hospitalised with concussion.
Teenager Brendan Smith told media at the scene the 15-year-old may have been the victim of a targeted attack.
‘‘He got given a golf ball ... and it exploded in his hands,’’ he said.
Neighbours agreed the blast was not an accident.
‘‘One group of kids fight with another group of kids and then of course you have the whole lot like a gang war thing,’’ one resident told Channel 9.
‘‘It's not a safe neighbourhood to bring kids up in.’’
Authorities, however, suspect the teenagers may have been experimenting with gun powder in the backyard.
‘‘All we know is that there were a number of youths together and a device has gone off,’’ Inspector Keith McDonald said.
‘‘We don't know whether that's deliberate or not.’’
The bomb squad was called to the scene about 4pm after police received reports another homemade bomb was at risk of exploding at the property.
They were seen removing items from the house where the explosion took place, but no other bomb was found.
Streets surrounding the house were closed for two hours on Friday afternoon.
Forensics officers remained at the scene on Friday night.
Friends and family sent messages of support to Michael via Facebook.
"My love, thoughts and prayers are with you, Michael Boggan. You are loved and everyone hopes you pull through this," one woman wrote.
