A man has been rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition following a serious apartment fire in Cairns on Friday morning.
Emergency Response on Sheridan Street
Emergency services were called to a unit complex on Sheridan Street in Cairns North just after 9:30 am on Friday, May 17. Multiple Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) crews raced to the scene after receiving reports of a fire within a residential unit.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant blaze. They worked quickly to attack the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring apartments. The intense fire was brought under control by 10:15 am, allowing crews to fully extinguish the remaining hotspots.
Rescue and Hospitalisation
During their firefighting operations, crews located a man inside the affected unit. He was found with serious injuries believed to be a result of the fire.
Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics treated the man at the scene for significant burns and smoke inhalation. His condition was assessed as critical and life-threatening. He was subsequently transported under emergency conditions to Cairns Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
A Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesperson confirmed that a crime scene had been declared as a standard procedure. Police are now working alongside fire investigators to determine the exact cause of the blaze. The investigation is in its early stages, and the origin of the fire is not yet known.
Scene Secured and Investigation Underway
The fire caused substantial damage to the single apartment where it originated. Other residents in the complex were evacuated as a safety precaution during the emergency response but were later allowed to return to their homes.
Fire investigators remained on-site throughout the morning, meticulously examining the scene to piece together how the fire started. Police have cordoned off the area to preserve evidence for their ongoing inquiries.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating speed of residential fires. Authorities have not released any further details about the identity of the injured man or the potential cause at this time. The community awaits further updates as the investigation progresses.
