Crime scene declared after fatal unit fire at Burpengary

The identity of a man killed when a Moreton Bay home was engulfed by flames overnight has been revealed, as police investigate. SEE THE VIDEO

Police have praised neighbours who desperately tried to save the life of an elderly man who tragically perished in a ferocious fire north of Brisbane.

Emergency services were called to the Morayfield Rd retirement complex about 9pm to reports of a large fire.

Prior to firefighters arriving two locals bravely put their own lives on the line to rescue Mike Spencer, who was trapped inside, but the blaze was too intense and they could not reach the 83-year-old in time.

Mr Spencer was a long-term resident, who was well-known and well-liked in the retirement village.

Police have confirmed the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Detective Inspector David Harbison said preliminary information suggested the fire started towards the rear of the unit where Mr Spencer died.

Footage of a fire which killed a man inside a Burpengary unit Monday evening.

“It’s very much in its infancy, it’s an undetermined fire at this stage”, Det Insp Harbison said.

“We are not treating it as suspicious but it is an undetermined fire.

“We have received reports of some brave persons who tried to assist an elderly male to get out of a unit.

“They’ve bravely smashed windows and attempted to force open the door.

“Unfortunately the intensity of the fire overtook them and were unable to help this elderly male person.

“The fire was that intense that a number of surrounding units have been scorched by the heat and debris.”

Det Insp Harbison said the investigation would continue for several days.

One of the victim’s neighbours said they were using everything they could to get inside the burning unit.

“I heard the smoke alarm and walked outside,” the neighbour, who would not be named, said.

“You could see smoke at the back of the unit.

“It happened all so quickly, I can’t believe it.

“Once the flames got hold of it, the blaze really took off.

“You could hear cars and gas bottles exploding.”

The unit next-door to where a fire gutted a Burpengary unit also caught alight. Picture: Aaron Goodwin

Fellow resident Roma Brettll, who has lived in the village for 14 years, said she knew Mr Spencer well as he was a member of the village’s social club committee.

“He was a lovely man, caring and kind,” Mrs Brettll said.

“He was a big part of the community.

“You couldn’t say a thing bad about him.”

Mrs Brettll said Mr Spencer was a fire warden for the village.

Fellow resident John Hood was also close with Mr Spencer with both of them putting their hands up to be emergency volunteers at the village.

“I will always remember him as a great friend and a true gentleman,” Fellow resident John Hood said.

The one-storey house in the village, which is tucked away from busy Morayfield Rd, was one of more than 200 manufactured homes at the over-50s complex, where the majority of dwellings are owner-occupied.

Investigators are appealing to anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward.