An aviation worker who suffered burns in an apparent refuelling accident at a Hawke's Bay aerodrome has been transferred to Hutt Hospital for specialist treatment.

The man, aged in his 50s, burnt his hands on Tuesday afternoon when fire broke out at a hangar at the Hastings Aerodrome, west of the city.

Hawke's Bay Aviation owner Laurie Bargh refused to comment on Wednesday, but said on Tuesday the worker had been 'de-fuelling' an aircraft in the hanger when a fuel container caught fire.

It was unclear what caused the fire, but the man was badly burnt carrying the container outside – a move likely to have saved the hangar and the planes and helicopters it housed.

The blaze was extinguished by people on the scene and was out by the time fire crews arrived.

The injured man was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital.

A hospital spokeswoman said he was subsequently transferred to Hutt Hospital for specialist treatment.

A Hutt Hospital spokeswoman said he was in a stable condition.