One person dead after fire guts Redland Bay home

A man is dead and another was rushed to hospital after a fire broke out in a two-storey house on Brisbane’s bayside.

A man has died and another is in hospital after fire gutted a house on Brisbane’s bayside on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Meredith Place at Redland Bay about 1.55pm after a two-storey house fire.

Two people, a 29-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman, were able to escape the building and were assessed for injuries.

A 21-year-old man, who is yet to be formally identified, remains unaccounted for.

Shocked and grieving residents wait for family to arrive in the usually quiet cul-de-sac after the tragedy at Redland Bay. Pictures: Judith Kerr

Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang just before 2pm and saw smoke billowing across local streets, including the main Cleveland-Redland Bay Rd.

Three fire crews battled the blaze, which engulfed the upper floor of the two-storey brick house, making it difficult for firefighters to gain access.

Queensland Fire Department Acting Superintendent Brenden Flynn said firefighters arrived within four minutes but could not access the top storey due to the intensity of the blaze.

“Unfortunately, due to the fire conditions, the crews were hampered to conduct a full search and were unable to locate the person in time,” he said.

“Crews couldn’t even make it up to the top level, the fire was so well involved.”

Inspector Flynn said the house reportedly had smoke alarms installed, but it was not yet clear whether they were operational at the time of the fire.

“It was a difficult situation,” he said.

Queensland Police Regional Duty Officer Inspector Andrew Tracey said investigators were on site.

“Investigators are here, as are the scientific personnel, and they will try and establish the cause of the fire,” he said.

Forensic teams will remain on-site overnight and continue investigations on Wednesday to determine the cause.

Fire Inspector Brenden Flynn said firefighters arrived within four minutes but were unable to access the top floor. Picture: Judith Kerr

Tenants of the property, including the sister and uncle of the man man who remained unaccounted for, gathered outside, anxiously awaiting news.

The dead man’s sister, Santoria Walsh, 18, said she had been downstairs when she heard shouts and windows cracking.

Another tenant Adam Utz said he was down the road at the time and rushed back to see the house engulfed in flames.

“I came back as soon as I was phoned,” he said.

Another resident was at the back of the property when windows shattered, prompting him to flee.

The property remained cordoned off late on Tuesday afternoon as a crime scene, and family members from Cornubia and Logan were on their way to Meredith Place.

Paramedics assessed patients at the scene.

Neighbours praised the quick actions of firefighters and paramedics, who arrived promptly after the first reports.

Thick plumes of smoke billowed out from the two-storey house making access difficult for firefighters. Pictures: Judith Kerr

Meredith Place resident Louise Thomson, who has lived in the street for more than 15 years, said the fire took hold rapidly.

She said she was on her way home from work when she heard about it but by the time she arrived home the house was completely engulfed in flames.

“It must have gone up so quickly, we have been told that a person died,” she said.

The Redland Bay community has been left reeling after the incident, as authorities continue their work at the cordoned-off property.

The man’s family has been supported by arriving relatives and local authorities while the investigation continues.

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have relevant information or dashcam/CCTV vision to come forward.

Originally published as One person dead after fire guts Redland Bay home