Four men suffered serious burns when an explosive device was thrown into a fire in Mmakau near Brits, North West police said on Monday.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lesego Metsi said the incident happened on Sunday as three people were sitting around a fire.

Their neighbour allegedly tossed a detonator used in mine blasting into the flames and it exploded.

“All four of them survived with serious facial and bodily burns… and were taken to Brits hospital.”

The neighbour suffered third-degree burns and was transferred to George Mukhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa in a serious condition.

Metsi said the man apparently worked for a company that owned a nearby quarry.

“The device, believed to be used for crushing stones, is suspected to have been stolen from the suspect’s workplace,” said Metsi.

The man would face charges of attempted murder and possession of explosives when released from hospital. The motive for his action was not yet known.

– SAPA