Four people have died in a house fire in Emerald, central Queensland, in what Premier David Crisafulli has described as an 'incredible tragedy'. Emergency services were called to the property on Opal Street just before 7am on Thursday, with multiple fire crews arriving to find the house fully engulfed in flames.
Senior Sergeant Peter McFarlane confirmed that four bodies were found, including a man in his 30s, a female teenager, a young boy and a young girl. Two people escaped the blaze, and the relationships between the deceased will be provided later. 'As you can imagine, a fire fully engulfed is one thing, but learning there are four lives lost inside, it's been quite traumatic on all the emergency services,' he said.
Specialist fire and police investigation units from Rockhampton and Brisbane are at the scene to determine the cause. When asked if an e-scooter was among the lines of enquiry, Senior Sergeant McFarlane said: 'Yes, it is.' Queensland Fire Department Inspector Scott Castree noted that a crew was in the area and arrived within five minutes, with neighbours helping to contain the blaze. He said it is extremely difficult at this early stage to tell how the fire started.
Premier Crisafulli expressed his deepest sympathies to the family, neighbours and emergency services. 'It's going to be something that sends shock waves through the community,' he said. Gregory MP Sean Dillon was travelling to Emerald from Brisbane to assist, and Central Highlands Mayor Janice Moriarty offered the council's full support to responding agencies.
