TWO people suffered serious injuries in an explosion in a tent at Camp Bestival.

The man and women were taken to hospital after the blast yesterday on a campsite at the four day festival in the grounds of Lulworth Castle.

A fireball ripped through the tent when a cooking gas stove leaked and was ignited by another stove nearby.

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The woman was flown to a specialist burns unit in Bristol and the man was taken to the Dorset County Hospital by ambulance.

It is believed the blast was sparked by a stoves being used inside the tent.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said that the blaze was caused by leakage of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) from a camping stove being ignited by an adjacent stove.

The fireball destroyed 20 per cent of the tent and also caused damage to an adjacent tent.

It is believed that the fire was in an area where traders are camped at the four-day festival.

One crew of firefighters from Wareham attended but the blaze was extinguished by the onsite fire service. The casualties were treated by the onsite doctor for burns. Paramedics also attended.

The blaze, which broke out just before 2pm, damaged two, four-man berth tents.

A Dorset Fire and Rescue Service spokesman warned people to be careful if camping and to keep cooking well away from the tent., The spokesman also re-iterated the message for barbecues.

“Never take a barbecue into a tent.

“Not only is there a huge fire risk also potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Be safe.

“Always make sure a disposable barbecue is out before you put it in the bin.”

The blaze yesterday came as thousands of revellers arrived for the start of the popular festival; it lifts off with acts and entertainment today.

The award-winning extravaganza includes bands, entertainment, children’s performers, art, dance, theatre, a full literary programme, DJ sets and international food in the grounds of Lulworth Castle.

Weekend tickets have sold out but a limited number day passes are still available each morning to buy at the Lulworth Heritage Centre.

Former Pulp and Longpigs guitarist Richard Hawley headlines the main stage tonight but the bill also include Scots favourites The Proclaimers, Burton Bradstock’s Billy Bragg and Irish indie rockers Ash.

DJ Rob da Bank, who runs the festival with wife Josie, said they were looking forward to a bumper weekend.

The Levellers are headlining on Saturday night and Labrinth on Sunday night. Other acts include Take That's Mark Owen, singer Gabrielle Aplin, the Farm, Grandmaster Flash, the Cuban Brothers, Ben Waters, DJ Yoda, Sasha, DJ Fresh, Fabio and Grooverider, Beardyman and The Polyphonic Spree.

Eighties legends Heaven 17 and Nik Kershaw will also be playing as well as teenage Dorchester rapper Isaiah Dreads.

Families can enjoy fun with such stars as Mr Tumble and television stars Dick ‘n’ Dom.

Day tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis from ticketline.co.uk or in person from Lulworth Heritage Centre in Lulworth Cove.

Visit our special Camp Bestival section as well as live updates and picture galleries throughout the weekend.