MELBOURNE, (Australia), Nov 18: Officials say a man has set himself on fire in a bank branch in Australia's second-largest city, causing an explosion that left himself and five bystanders with serious burns.

An ambulance service statement says another 21 people ranging from children to people aged in their 80s were taken to hospitals with breathing problems following the fire at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia branch in the Melbourne suburb of Springvale late Friday morning.

Police say the 21-year-old suspect was taken to a hospital in a serious condition and is under police guard.

The ambulance service says the other five people suffering from burns were taken to the same hospital.

Police Inspector Jacqui Poida says investigators have yet to determine a motive.

 
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• australia
 
• 6 burnt
 
• man sets himself on fire
 
• australian bank