Firefighter Izabella Nash dies after Slacks Creek blaze
Annastacia Palaszczuk has promised a full investigation after experienced firefighter Izabella Nash died and a colleague was injured in a blaze south of Brisbane.
Emergency Services
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The Premier has promised a full investigation into the death of an experienced firefighter who became “trapped” and “ran out of air” in a blaze south of Brisbane on Tuesday morning.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services confirmed on Wednesday morning that firefighter Izabella Nash, 46, had died after being pulled from the burning factory in Slacks Creek about 2.30am on Tuesday.
A second firefighter, Lia Drew, who is a senior firefighter, remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. She received burns and suffered smoke inhalation.
It was initially reported a third male firefighter had suffered smoke inhalation but he only went to hospital to support his colleagues.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there would be a full investigation into the cause of the blaze which led to Ms Nash’s “absolutely horrific” death, revealing her family had travelled from NSW to be at her side in hospital.
Ms Palaszczuk said Ms Nash was an experienced firefighter and “of course there’ll be an investigation about what caused that and how the tragedy happened”.
“It took 30 or 40 fire trucks to actually put out that blaze. of course there will be more investigation,” she said.
“I know that her family came up from NSW to be with her and she was an experienced firefighter.
“I’d like to extend my sincere condolences to all those who are grieving the tragic loss of … Izabella Nash.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones. It’s an absolute tragedy.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined mourners in expressing his condolences for Ms Nash
“Firefighter Izabella Nash’s tragic death is a cruel reminder of the risks and dangers firefighters confront every day,” he said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“Along with all Australians, I offer my deepest sympathies to Izabella’s family, friends and crew members in this time of grief and sorrow.
“My thoughts are also with Lia Drew. We must never forget the bravery of firefighters who work to keep us all safe.”
In a statement, Queensland Police said Ms Nash was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital early on Tuesday morning after she was located collapsed at the Pacific Highway Service Road business while working to extinguish the fire.
She died about 9.15pm.
QFES Assistant Commissioner John Cawcutt, who knew Ms Nash personally, on Wednesday said all firefighters were made aware of her death this morning.
He said it was broadcast over station PAs so that everybody learned at the same time.
Flags are flying at half-mast at stations across the state.
He said Ms Nash was initially in the military, based at Duntroon, before becoming a firefighter.
“Her father is an ex-police officer, so there’s been, I think, an attraction to the uniform side of the services to the community that probably goes back to when she was a young person,” he said.
“(She was) incredibly fit, (a) really, really fit person, very strong. She was always the first person out to check over equipment.
“You get junior firefighters who come to the station and she’d be the first person out showing them over (the equipment). She always had a good sort of smile about her, could take a joke and give it out as well. The crew she was attached to is really broken up.
“She is outstanding. It is a true loss for us, one of those sorts of people who would walk into a station and the people would be attracted to her.”
Investigations are still under way as to the cause of the blaze, which took firefighters 20 hours to extinguish, and Queensland Police have established a crime scene.
There will also be an investigation into whether the breathing apparatus worn by Ms Nash “failed” during the operation.
United Firefighters Union Queensland secretary John Oliver said Ms Nash and Ms Drew had become “trapped” and “ran out of air” on the second storey of the Slacks Creek factory.
“They were upstairs for a while … the crews went to rescue them … they had to find them,” Mr Oliver said.
Mr Oliver said it is too early in the investigation to determine what went wrong but that the “duration” Ms Nash and Ms Drew spent in the burning building will be probed.
He said the breathing apparatus team was employed to rescue both female firefighters.
“They were employed to do that role, which is to go in and rescue the two fireys that were down, they brought them out of the second story, down a ladder,” he said.
“It was quite graphic …(they) worked on (Ms Nash and Ms Drew) at the base of the ladder.”
QFES Acting Commissioner Mike Wassing confirmed that all equipment would be assessed as a part of the investigation.
“We have had no information that points to any safety issues with the breathing apparatus,” he said.
“Our firefighters check those matters regularly but as I’ve indicated all of those matters including the breathing apparatus and all the aspects of the operation will be fully assessed by work health and safety officers, by the Queensland Police Service and even by ourselves as a part of normal post operations and reviews.
“That’s really important for us as a fire service from a learning perspective and obviously especially important for Izzy’s family, partner Bec and the rest of our colleagues.”
Asked whether Ms Nash and Ms Drew were equipped with a “full” supply of air before they entered the burning building, Mr Wassing said “absolutely”.
MrWassing confirmed that Izabella’s partner Bec is also a firefighter with QFES.
said an investigation was under way into the circumstances of Ms Nash’s death and Ms Drew’s injuries.
He said he wanted to thank the community for the outpouring of support, including from firefighters around Australia and overseas.
“There are inherent risks … and sometimes unpredictable dangers associated with this line of work,” he said.
He urged people to refrain from speculating. “I can assure you we want the answers too,” he said. “For Izzy, for Lia, for their families and for their colleagues. Right now, our focus is on supporting them and honouring Izzy.
“We request you please refrain from speculating on how or why, because that is distressing …”
He said injuries and fatalities were “very, very rare”.
“Our firefighters are hurting,” he said, adding it was “incredibly tough” for those involved in the incident.
“Both Lia and Izzy were very experienced firefighters … very well trained, as are all of our firefighters,” he said.
“I am meeting with Lia this afternoon. A number of our officers have been in regular support and contact with Lia … she is with her family as well. She has come out of (the) intensive care unit and is now in the burns unit. She’s got weeks and months of recovery ahead.”
Mr Wassing said she has burns to her hands and arms.
Mr Wassing thanked doctors, medical staff and paramedics from the Queensland Ambulance Service for their efforts.
“Absolutely amazing and can I say thankyou for all of that service and support,” he said
The last time a firefighter died on the job was in 1994, when two were killed at a car showroom fire at Southport.
Noel Watson and Herbie Fennell lost their lives on February 11, 1994, with the coronial inquest into their deaths triggering multiple operational changes still followed today.
Tuesday’s fire was at event planning business A Noble Event, with the cause yet to be determined.
On Tuesday morning, Queensland Police Inspector Chris Knight said there had been a “power interruption over the last few days as a result of a power pole knocked down, there has been generated power for a period of time intermittently”.
A spokesperson from A Noble Event would not comment on the fire.
The owner of a nearby coffee business said he was contacted about 5.30am on Tuesday, with news his facility was at risk.
Extraction Artisan Coffee owner Alex Milosevic said there was a “massive blaze” and a “horrible smell of plastic” when he arrived.
Meanwhile, tributes have this morning started flowing for the fallen firefighter, with many posting the QFES logo with a black strip through it.
“RIP Izzy, your shift is over,” said one mourner.
“Rest easy Izabella, thank you for your service,” said another.
Fellow fire fighting crews from all around the country have also shared their condolences for the Queensland “fire family”.
Ms Palaszczuk and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan in a joint statement expressed their sadness over the death of Ms Nash.
“Izabella’s passing is a terribly sad and poignant reminder of the dangers our frontline staff face on a daily basis,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“She was clearly devoted to her job, on the front line supporting her fellow Queenslanders.”
Mr Ryan said the Fire and Rescue Service was devastated by the loss of Izabella.
“Our firefighters are a tight knit group and Izabella’s loss will be deeply felt,” he said.
“The motto of the Fire and Rescue Service is Semper paratus, Always Ready, and Izabella clearly demonstrated her commitment to that ideal, doing everything she could to support her fellow Queenslanders.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers also paid tribute to Ms Nash.
“The news has come through this morning that Izabella Nash lost her life protecting our community in that horrible fire in Slacks Creek,” Mr Chalmers said.
“This is another reminder of the courage, the selflessness and the commitment of people who are first responders.
“That fire two nights ago was a dangerous fire. We’ve lost an incredible young woman. Selfless, committed and courageous.
“Her loved ones and her work mates will be incredibly sad today and our community is heartbroken too.”
Opposition leader David Crisafulli has also released a statement following the news of Ms Nash’s death.
“Our emergency services workers face extraordinary danger everyday to keep us safe and for that Queenslanders will always be eternally grateful,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“I know Queenslanders will join me today to send their thoughts and prayers to her family, friends and our State’s entire emergency services community.”
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