One man killed in fire at complex at Clayfield in Brisbane’s north

One man has died and three elderly people have been taken to hospital after a fire at a unit complex in Brisbane’s north.

A 55-year-old man has died and three elderly people were taken to hospital after suffering smoke following a fire at a unit complex in Brisbane’s north on Monday morning.

The Kahala Towers building on Bonney Ave at Clayfield was evacuated after the fire erupted, with more than a dozen fire crews racing to the scene just after 5am.

The death is considered non-suspicious and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

It is understood the fire started in a unit before moving into the lift shaft.

Queensland Fire Superintendent Ricky May said firefighters were tasked with multiple rescues on arrival.

“The fire was confined to the lift shaft area, there were pockets of smoke damage and fire damage outside that area.

“It is quite tricky to evacuate a building with multiple levels and they have to use certain techniques.

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

Mr May fire said crews did a great job.

The evacuation was difficult given the large number of elderly people in the building who had to be removed through the stairs.

But QAS operations supervisor Georgia Gascoigne said residents had done a fantastic job.

“They have been so resilient through this process,” she said.

As the incident unfolded, St Mark’s Anglican Church were quick to offer refuge to anyone who needed help.

Reverend Nicki Colledge said she made contact with emergency services quickly and was able to provide air conditioning, fruit cake and a comfortable spot to sit.

Dave Francis, who owns an apartment in the building, took refuge at the church after waking to sounds of sirens.

“When I was woken up I thought I was on a movie set and there were aliens from out of space,” he said

“They said quickly we want you to get out of the building.”

Mr Francis was taken downstairs and was looked after by paramedics who he said were absolutely wonderful.

The aftermath of a fire at Bonney Ave at Clayfield on Monday morning. Picture: Richard Walker

The daughter of a woman who lives in the building, said she became worried when a call from her mother was cut off as ambulances arrived.

“I think they had a bit of trouble getting out. They copped a bit of smoke,” Charlotte Davis said.

Her parents were both taken to hospital.

“We were very worried,” she said. “It sounded very nasty.”

Another woman living in the building said fire alarms went off at 4.45am.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of a fire at a unit block on Bonney Ave at Clayfield. Picture: Richard Walker

“There was a little bit of smoke but I think the main problem has been on the roof,” Anne Nioa said.

“The emergency services have done a wonderful job they were here within three or four minutes.

“There’s a lot of elderly people in the building so the people that couldn’t walk were freed by firefighters.”

The death is considered non-suspicious and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

Ricky May from QFES.

Georgia Gascoigne from the QAS. Picture: Richard Walker