The trio were badly burnt shortly after midnight on Sunday when they were covered in burning oil at a gathering in a yard in Little Barber St.

Ambulance paramedics and police rushed to help the injured boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, before they were rushed to Tamworth hospital.

Oxley Acting Inspector Josh McKenzie told The Leader the boys suffered varying degrees of burns to their bodies, but the injuries are not life-threatening.

“One young male suffered burns to the majority of his body, one young person has burns to his face and legs and the third young person suffered burns to his feet and legs,” he said.

The trio were assessed by doctors at Tamworth hospital before an aero-Ambulance was tasked to collect two of the patients.

Two of the boys were flown on Sunday morning to a specialist burns unit in Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital, where they remained late on Sunday.

The third boy remains in a paediatric ward in Tamworth hospital. He is believed to be in a stable condition.

Acting Inspector McKenzie said investigators had been told oil had been poured onto the fire at the birthday party.

“A 47-year-old male noticed a fire was dying and poured an amount of what is believed to be old engine oil on the fire,” he said.

“The fire ignited the oil in the container as it was being poured, and exploded, casting oil around the fire pit, and splashing three young people with burning oil.

“First aid was rendered by Ambulance and police who attended shortly after, and the fire brigade also attended.”

Acting Inspector McKenzie said police had spoken to witnesses at the party.

“Police are still making further enquiries with witnesses at the scene,” he said.