Emergency crews called to Sinclair St house fire at Avenell Heights

Fire investigators have been called and a unit block is under police guard after a blaze at a home in Bundaberg. SEE THE VIDEO.

Fire investigators have been called to a blackened home at Bundaberg which remains under police guard.

Emergency crews were called to the house fire in Avenell Heights on Thursday morning.

Crews were about the emergency at the Sinclair St unit block about 11.30am, with the fire being extinguished by 11.45pm.

A QFES spokeswoman told the NewsMail firefighters received the call after a smoke alarm sounded and smoke was seen coming from the home.

One of the neighbours, Bryan Willets, told the NewsMail he tried to help but no one seemed to be home in the front unit which suffered the bulk of the damage.

He also helped neighbours in the adjoining unit gather some of their belongings.

“The smoke got thick really quick,” he said.

Station officer from Bundaberg fire station Gary Channells said the main area of the unit, which included the living and dining area and kitchen, was “well involved” when crews arrived on scene.

Fire investigation units have been requested to attend the scene.

“Because of the internal damage there’s no definitive cause of the fire so, until such time as the investigator does his investigation,” he said,

“We’ll find out a cause most likely sometime tomorrow.”

Mr Channells said there were initial reports of someone still being inside the burning unit, but fortunately no one was hurt.

There was also minimal damage to the adjoining unit.

“Fortunately with the building fire safety laws there’s a firewall between the units so it didn’t spread to the second unit,” he said.

“The occupants of the second unit were on site, no damage was sustained other than some smoke damage inside their unit and no one was hurt.

“The fire itself was well involved in the main room of the unit took 10 to 15 minutes to control, while trying to conduct a search for anyone still possibly inside.”

She said police and paramedics were on scene and the fire investigation unit had been requested to attend.

A QAS spokeswoman said three crews were on standby, but no one had required medical attention.