Fatal fire prompts calls for mandatory smoke alarms in Qld caravans

A fire in Brisbane’s west that killed two people has prompted calls for a change to smoke alarm rules. It comes as the 26-year-old woman and 22-year-old man killed in the blaze have been named.

A fatal fire in Brisbane’s west has prompted calls for the state’s fire service to reconsider the mandatory installation of smoke alarms in all caravans and mobile homes.

Jane Strong, 26, from Rosedale, north of Bundaberg, and 22-year-old Eli Johnson, from Lowmead, died in a caravan fire at an Upper Brookfield property on Saturday morning.

It is understood Carl Weiss — the woman’s partner — suffered burns when he tried to help.

Friends have taken to social media to post touching tributes for both Ms Strong and Mr Johnson.

“Such a beautiful, happy, loving person taken away to soon RIP my friend we all will miss you,” Michelle Riedy wrote of Ms Strong.

“RIP Eli, you will also be missed so much.”

Corey Martin also said his friends were taken too soon.

“You were both so happy and loved by everyone during our time together at school,” he said.

A family member of Mr Johnson also expressed her shock over the incident.

“Rest in Peace, you’ll forever be 22 cousin,” Natalie Gear wrote.

Queensland is one of only three states in the country where smoke alarms in caravans and mobile homes are not mandatory.

Jane Strong died in the fire on Saturday, while her partner Carl Weiss suffered burns trying to save her from the caravan blaze.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services recommends at least one working photoelectric smoke alarm inside the van where the bed is, and one also in the annex if you sleep there.

Speaking on Sunday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would “follow up” with the QFES Commissioner regarding calls for mandatory smoke alarms in movable dwellings.

Eli Johnson, from Lowmead, died in a caravan fire at an Upper Brookfield property on Saturday morning. Picture: Facebook

According to Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Australia: “In NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory, regardless of where your campervan is registered, it must be fitted with a smoke alarm by law. If you are visiting South Australia and you are on-site for 60 days or longer then a smoke alarm is required by law.”

Two people died in the caravan fire at Upper Brookfield. Picture: 9 News

Police said they were still trying to piece together how a blaze broke out in a caravan on a semirural property where a group of people were staying.

Brisbane region Inspector Karl Hahne said a group of adults and children were staying at the 18-hectare property – the same weekend as the popular Brookfield Show – when a fire broke out at 4.30am.

Firefighters at the scene of the deadly blaze on Saturday morning. Picture: 9 News

Insp Hahne said he was not able to confirm exactly how many people were staying at the Galvin Rd property, which he described as a series of structures including sheds and shipping containers.

He said a number of children were at the property at the time but none were involved in the fire.

The blaze broke out in a caravan that was underneath a semipermanent structure with a tin roof, he said.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing. Picture: Richard Walker

“Our scenes of crime officers and our forensic officers are currently at the scene with (detectives) and they will be interviewing everybody who was at the property overnight – and obviously those versions will paint the picture of what happened.”

The fire is not believed to have been suspicious.

“These scenes are always confronting and any loss of life is sad,” Insp Hahne said.

“To lose two people in this way, it’s a very sad day.”