A man in his seventies has been taken to hospital with injuries following a significant fire that erupted in a Townsville unit on Tuesday morning.
Emergency Response in Garbutt
The incident occurred at a residential unit on Sturt Street in the suburb of Garbutt. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze just after 9:30 AM on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) dispatched multiple crews to the scene. Firefighters worked quickly to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.
Resident Hospitalised with Injuries
The sole occupant of the unit, a man believed to be in his 70s, was located by emergency responders. He sustained injuries as a result of the fire and was subsequently transported to Townsville University Hospital for treatment.
While the exact nature and severity of his injuries have not been publicly detailed, his condition was serious enough to require hospitalisation. The cause of the fire is now under investigation by the relevant authorities.
Investigation and Aftermath
Following the extinguishment of the flames, QFES personnel remained on-site to conduct overhaul operations, ensuring all hot spots were completely out. The unit sustained considerable fire damage.
Investigators will now work to determine the origin and cause of the Garbutt unit fire. This process is standard procedure for fires of this nature and will help establish whether the blaze was accidental or if other factors were involved.
The incident serves as a stark reminder for all residents to ensure their smoke alarms are in working order and to have a practiced fire escape plan. The swift response from emergency services undoubtedly prevented a more tragic outcome.
