Wynnum West house fire: Teens responsible for structure inferno

Two juveniles have been dealt with under the Youth Justice Act after deliberately starting a fire which destroyed a Brisbane house last week.

A teenager and a 12-year-old have been dealt with under the Youth Justice Act for deliberately starting a fire which destroyed a Brisbane house and caused the evacuation of nearby residents last week.

The house on Seaford St at Wynnum West, which has been abandoned for years, collapsed after going up in flames last Friday afternoon with four Queensland Fire crews able to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties.

Wynnum Police senior sergeant Wayne Richter said further investigations showed the fire was suspicious and officers interviewed several witnesses as a result.

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House fire in Wynnum Picture: Alouise Munro

“Officers from the Wynnum Child Protection Investigation Unit have since interviewed a 12-year-old child from Wynnum West and a 13-year-old child from Murarrie, who have both been dealt with under the Youth Justice Act,” he said.

“We would like to show our appreciation and thank all those members of the community who have come forward and assisted us in this investigation. With their help we’ve able to promptly solve this crime and bring the offenders to justice.”

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House fire in Wynnum Picture: Alouise Munro

ALP Councillor for Wynnum Manly Peter Cumming said the house had been an eyesore in the area for years.

“The house was a dreadful mess even before the fire,” he said.

“I had just reported overgrown grass on the property earlier in the week.”