A 'massive explosion” has put a man in hospital and badly damaged a house in the west end of Papamoa.

The explosion at Range Road just after 8pm Thursday night was heard by a large number of people in the vicinity.

The explosion blew the windows out of the Papamoa home.

A witness at nearby Papamoa Beach Road called SunLive saying they heard a massive bang and the house shook, and ran out onto the street to find a neighbouring house with all the windows blown out, part of the roof ripped off and the house occupants in distress.

One man was in particularly bad shape.

'He had a cut up face and everything.”

The man was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

Initial reports were that a gas bottle had exploded, but later reports from neighbours said a wetback on the fireplace was the cause.

Police and fire brigade are still investigating the explosion and the exact cause is yet to be determined.

Two ambulances were at the scene, along with fire appliances and police.

The caller said at first it seemed part of the roof was missing, but looking closer it appeared the chimney had exploded.

SunLive will update this story as information comes to hand.

What did you see? Are you in the area of the explosion? Did you take photos? Call the Sunlive hotline, 0800 SUNLIVE or send news photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz