Neighbour tells of dramatic rescue of elderly woman after Ashgrove house collapses

A shocked witness has told how two hero tradies managed to rescue an elderly woman, with one of them carrying her out on his back, after a house suddenly collapsed in Brisbane’s west.

A shocked witness has told of the heroics of two tradies who raced to the rescue of an elderly woman who became trapped when part of a house in Brisbane’s west suddenly collapsed.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the house in Brown Parade, Ashgrove, came off its stumps at 10.20am on Thursday, with six crews attending.

The scene of the partial house collapse in Ashgrove.

Reef Urquhart from Hart Renovations said he and his colleague Pete Skippen detected the smell of gas as they entered the home after rushing to the scene following heard a “massive bang”.

Mr Skippen said he heard an “almighty boom” and the house came down within five seconds, and they feared for the safety of the woman.

Peter Skippen from Brisbane Mini Excavations carried the elderly owner out of the property. Picture: David Clark

“I knew she was in there because I’ve been working here for four weeks and have seen her,” Mr Skippen said.

“We ran straight to the back of the house and could hear her calling out but couldn’t find her.

“We climbed across everything and found her, she was trying to open the front door which was blocked by everything.

“We had to clear a lot of stuff to get her out.”

Mr Urquhart said he couldn’t believe it.

“We saw the house had collapsed and we could smell the gas. It was really bad,” Mr Urquhart said.

“We heard there was an old lady in there so we had to run in. Ray put her on his back and carried her out of the house.

Emergency services on the scene. Picture: David Clark

“I was just in there trying to clear the path for them. There was stuff everywhere. It was pretty dangerous.

“She looks pretty in shock, to be honest.

“I think she was all right in the end.

“She had a few cuts on her because there was glass everywhere.

“She had antiques in there so there was glass everywhere.”

The homeowner has been named as 85-year-old Josephine Curties who had lived at the property since 1975.

Mandy Partridge, the daughter of the home owner, speaks. Picture: David Clark

Her daughter, Mandy Partridge, said the house had been moved from New Farm in 1945.

“I’m so glad she’s OK, she was living alone and they found her in the living room,” Ms Partridge said.

“She had just come back from holidays in America,

“You’d have no idea how many plates and ornaments and memories have been lost,” she said.

Ms Partridge said the Queenslander had been moved in seven parts.

“Let this be a reminder to anyone who has an old Queenslander, get it restumped now.

“Thankfully she’s OK,” she said.

A paramedic at the scene confirmed Ms Curtis was in a stable condition and had no serious injuries.