Man in critical condition, another injured, as gas tank explodes in Geelong

A man is fighting for life in hospital and other has been hurt in a gas tank explosion north of Geelong.

Neighbours raised the alarm after hearing the explosion on Howitt Avenue, Corio, around 8pm on Thursday.

CFA crews arrived to find the gas tank in a car had exploded while the two men were working on it.

One of those men, aged in his 20s, suffered third degree burns to most of his body including his face.

He was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.

A second man is in the Geelong hospital with non-life-threatening burns to his back.