A child has been burned after a barbecue exploded in west Auckland this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the property on Choice Ave in Henderson at 3.34pm, Fire Service northern communications centre shift manager Daniel Nicholson said.

It was understood a gas barbecue had exploded injuring one child whose age could not be immediately confirmed.

Paramedics and firefighters were at the scene carrying out first aid on the child.

It was understood they had burns to their arms, he said.