Four kids saved from massive fire that destroyed home

The mother of four children who were saved from a fierce fire by hero neighbours says she was due to start cancer treatment today.

Four children have been saved from a fierce fire that destroyed an Ellen Grove home overnight, after local residents banged on windows to wake them up.

The children, including teenagers and a 10-year-old, were asleep when the fire broke out at 4.15am.

One of the teen residents, Savannah Rudzitis, told 7 News Brisbane she only woke up when she heard someone banging on the door and windows to alert them of the danger.

“Then we woke up to boys screaming that there was a fire so we just got everyone out - made sure they were safe,” she said.

Two women at the scene following a house fire in Ellen Grove. Picture: Samantha Scott

The mother, Tamiel Malone, said the family had lived in the house for seven years and that she was supposed to start treatment for lung cancer today.

“I found out about a month ago that I have cancer,” she said.

Ms Malone said the situation was “unexplainable” but that “home is anywhere as long as we have each other”.

Richard Stacey, 18, and Savannah Rudzitis, 18, were among four people who escaped a house fire early this morning at Ellen Grove. Pics Tara Croser.

“As long as my kids are alright that’s the main thing,” Ms Malone said.

The family moved from Western Australia seven years ago and have resided in that same house ever since.

She said she went out early this morning to run some errands because she was due to start chemotherapy today.

“I went to put petrol in the car and get breakfast for the kids… the house was on fire by the time I got back,” she said.

Three teenagers and a child have escaped a house fire early this morning at Ellen Grove. Pics Tara Croser.

Ms Malone said she also recently got a new car and the tyres were slashed not long after.

“I feel like the universe has it out for me,” she said.

Ms Malone’s 18-year-old son, Richard Stacey said he opened up the door and the whole hallway was filled with smoke.

An Ellen Grove house has been destroyed by fire. Picture: Samantha Scott

“I called out to everyone to wake them up, we had to run around the back and jump the fence,” he said.

“We know everyone around here - we help them out and it just goes the same way

“We mainly lost heaps of sentimental stuff.”

He said he wasn’t exactly sure who had alerted them to the fire but he had “seen him around”.

“If he didn’t wake us up we would probably still be asleep,” he said.

“I think he must have been late for work or something because he was on his phone for a bit and then he had to race off.”

A neighbour from across the street, Mikayla Stumer, said she heard “popping which sounded like gun shots”.

“I also heard screaming and shouting from the kids and when I looked outside the house was completely on fire,” she said.

“I immediately called firefighters but they were already on their way.”

The four children were assessed by emergency services at the scene but did not require further treatment.