Graham Myles confirmed dead after house fire at home in Boondall

Neighbours have told of the drama and revealed more about the victim of a fatal house fire on Brisbane’s northside, saying the 51-year-old victim had been a tenant there for 15 years.

Fire crews at a Cardinal St home after it went up in flames this morning. Picture – Madeline Grace.

The worst fears for family and neighbours of a 51-year-old man, whose Brisbane north home went up in flames on September 20, have been realised, with police confirming his death.

A report will be prepared for the coroner after Graham Myles’ body was found inside the Cardinal Street house that was destroyed by fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Police attended the fire around 3.15am and a crime scene was declared, but police are treating the fire as non-suspicious.

Neighbours said Mr Myles was due to move out of the home, which he had rented for 15 years, given the property was to be sold.

Remains of a Boondall home after a fire this morning. Picture – Madeline Grace.

Neighbour John Mackay said he and his wife were woken up by the shatter of the windows and an explosion.

“It was so loud we didn’t know what was going on,” he said.

“We ran outside to try and help but it was too intense.”

The couple called emergency services, but Mr Mackay said he didn’t believe Mr Myles was home.

“His car wasn’t there and he was set to move out,” he said.

“That’s just so sad if it’s true. He’s had a real rough go of things lately.”

According to neighbours Mr Myles was recently divorced and had undergone a weight transformation following gastric band surgery. He lost more than 40kg.

Fire crews received multiple reports of the fire at 3.15am with three crews dispatched, arriving to find the two-storey home “well involved” with the blaze, according to a QFES spokesman.

He said the fire was under control by 4.15am and the Fire Investigation Unit was marked to attend the scene today.

A crime scene had been declared at the property on the corner of Kingstown Ave and Cardinal St. Picture – Madeline Grace.

Police have not entered the house this morning due to safety concerns. There is no suggestion of foul play in relation to the fire.

A QFES spokesman said the floors were burnt through and all of the glass windows had shattered from the fire.

It is understood Mr Myles worked as a taxi driver in the area and mostly kept to himself.

Another neighbour, who has lived on the street for 57 years, said he was also woken by the explosion.

“The flames were so high in the sky,” he said.

“It was really bad.”

Mr Mackay, who lived next door, couldn’t believe the body inside the house may be that of Mr Myles.

“He was really just a gentle giant,” Mr Mackay said.

“He was a bit of a loner really and kept to himself.

“Sometimes he’d wave as he rode past on his bike.

“He was a poor lonely soul but he was nice enough and harmless.”

It is understood the owners of the house were incredibly distressed by the events.