Airman injured when toilet explodes

ROCKHAMPTON, Australia, July 27 (UPI) -- A Royal Australian Air Force member is being treated for severe burns after a portable toilet exploded while he was lighting a cigarette.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Community Safety said the airman was participating in the Australia-United States joint military exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 when the toilet exploded at about 9:30 a.m. Monday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported Wednesday.

''It's believed he was lighting a cigarette at the time," the spokeswoman said.

The man, whose name was not released, was taken to Rockhampton Hospital to receive treatment for third-degree burns to his head, face, arms, chest and airways.

Authorities said the incident is being investigated.