POLICE are investigating an explosion at a business in Ravenshoe, approximately 123 kilometres south west of Cairns this afternoon.

The incident occurred at the Serves You Right cafe, and initial investigations indicate at around 12pm a utility crashed into a business.

As a result of the crash a gas bottle ignited, causing a fire to spread to the building.

Preliminary information suggests 19 people were injured during the incident, including at least three seriously, who were airlifted to Cairns Hospital for treatment.

Officers from the Forensic Crash Unit and crime officers on the scene are investigating the cause of the crash.

A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman said eight were taken by road to local hospitals.

The first wave were taken to the Atherton Hospital and comprised of an 82-year-old woman, a 75-year-old woman, a 59-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man.

There were also three people airlifted to hospital and two taken to the Atherton Airport to meet the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Federal MP Bob Katter whose electorate of Kennedy takes in the township of Ravenshoe, says the town is a small community of 900 people, and it is a tragedy.

“Ravenshoe is on the Atherton Tablelands, which collectively is one of the bigger population centres in Queensland, is cut off by the Great Dividing Range," Mr Katter said.

“We praise the Emergency Services for having got up there as quickly as they have.

“We stand ready to provide any back up that may be necessary from the Federal Parliament.

“We wait for more information as it becomes available and pray for all of those involved”.

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