Lani Hilder’s Koongal house alleged arson case in Rockhampton court

The court case for a woman accused of setting her Rockhampton home ablaze was again adjourned in the magistrates court. Find out why here.

Lani Hilder, 29, has been charged with arson and fraud for the suspicious fire of a home she owns on Grubb St, Koongal.

The court case for a woman accused of setting her Rockhampton home ablaze was again adjourned in the magistrates court, with police statements from neighbours still required.

Lani Hilder was charged with one count of arson in relation to the fire, which destroyed the house and Aboriginal artworks at 252 Grubb St, Koongal, August 6.

The home, 252 Grubb Street, Koongal, pictured in 2000.

Ms Hilder purchased the property at an unpaid rates auction held by Rockhampton Regional Council in March, 2022.

The case was mentioned in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 11, with defence lawyer Samantha Legrady, acting as town agent for Fisher Dore lawyers, advising the court that while the brief of evidence contained 16 statements and 57 exhibits, there were still some statements from neighbours outstanding.

A house at 252 Grubb Street, Koongal, has been destroyed in a fire on August 6, 2022. Picture: Aden Stokes

At time of the fire, neighbours told The Morning Bulletin the house was engulfed very quickly and they had to protect their homes from also going up in flames.

There were piles of burnt rubble on the ground the next day, with the roof partially collapsed and the structure barely standing.

The Grubb St, Koongal, property pictured on May 18, 2023.

Detailed Indigenous artworks were decorated on the front of the home and were believed to have been previously owned by a local family.

The home transferred through an estate in 1997 and fell into council rates arrears, leading to the public auction in 2022.

Ms Hilder’s matters were adjourned until 8 November.