Police say the 52-year-old was moving the improvised device in a bucket when it exploded in the yard of a home on Jacaranda Ave, Kingston, about 5.30pm on Thursday.

He suffered serious serious chest, abdominal and limb injuries and was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland Ambulance Service said.

The man’s injuries were so serious he needed treatment from QAS medical director Stephen Rashford and the High Acuity Response Unit.

Police cordoned off an exclusion zone shortly after the explosion and told local residents to stay in their homes, but later revoked the emergency declaration.

Specialist police and investigators were probing the scene on Friday morning.

“Investigators are seeking witnesses to an explosion at Jacaranda Avenue in Kingston,” detectives said in a statement.