Clayfield unit fire: New blow for residents made homeless by Jan 30 blaze

In a double blow for residents still unable to return to their Brisbane unit complex after a deadly fire in January, 11 of the apartments have been broken into.

In a double blow for residents who were evacuated from their Brisbane unit complex after it caught fire, 11 of the apartments were broken into early on Monday morning.

Residents – three of whom were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation following the January 30 blaze – are said to be devastated by the second attack on their homes in Kahala Towers, Clayfield.

People are yet to move back into the Bonney Avenue brick complex as work continues to clean up after the fires, which were confined to one apartment and the lift shaft.

Displaced residents, many of them elderly, now fear their valuables and keepsakes have been stolen.

Smoke from the roof of a building at Clayfield where a man has died. Picture: Twitter

Investigators are appealing for anyone with information regarding the 3am break-ins, or with relevant CCTV footage, to contact police.

A QPS spokesperson also confirmed an investigation into the blazes revealed they were the result of arson.

“A 56-year-old man died at the scene, however, his death is not considered suspicious, and a report is being prepared for the Coroner,” the spokesperson said.