Janette Schultz named as victim of deadly Woolooga house fire

A ‘reclusive’ woman killed in a house fire had moved in to the regional community with her partner about a decade ago, and only recently returned following a prolonged absence.

Decade-long Woolooga resident Janette Schultz has been named as the victim of the tragic house fire which destroyed a home in the quiet rural township of Woolooga on Thursday night.

Several residents of the town about 35km north west of Gympie said Ms Schultz had only moved back to the home in Booker Street which she owned with her partner Erhard Schultz, about two weeks ago.

CoreLogic RP data records show the couple bought the low-set brick home on the quiet street, adjacent to the town’s centre, in 2007.

Residents said Ms Schultz, reported to be in her 50s, was reclusive, with next-door neighbour Kathy Moore saying Ms Schultz was rarely seen.

Emergency responders were called to the Schultz’s home shortly before midnight on Thursday, July 13, 2023, after neighbours – including Ms Moore – raised the alarm.

Woolooga resident Janette Schultz, here with partner “Hardy” had owned the Woolooga home in which she died in a terrible fire on Thursday night since 2007. Pic John Wilson Kristen Shorten

Fireys battled for four hours to contain the blaze, which engulfed the home in flames more than 12m high.

It was finally extinguished at 3.45am, and first responders then found Mrs Schultz’ remains in a front bedroom.

She was the only occupant at the time.

The single storey brick home, which sat at the top of a hill, was left a smouldering wreck in the wake of the inferno.

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On Friday, police held a stand-up presser and said investigations were continuing, and that they could not speculate when asked if the fire was being treated as suspicious.

Ms Moore said neighbours had tried to douse the flames with garden hoses, but the house was already too well involved.

She said she was left feeling “sick to her stomach” when first responders confirmed her fears that Ms Schultz was inside at the time.

Investigations are continuing.