Albion fire victim’s family want ‘answers’ as investigations into the suspicious blaze remain ongoing

The family of a 67-year-old man who perished in a suspicious unit fire at Albion earlier this month want answers as they prepare to mourn their beloved “poppy”.

The family of a 67-year-old man who perished in a suspicious unit fire at Albion earlier this month want answers as they prepare to mourn their beloved “poppy”.

Emergency services rushed to Amelia Street in Albion about 4pm Thursday, June 13 after a fire broke out in a unit at the rear of a small apartment complex.

Danny Carr was found dead in the living room while Jasmin Boyd, 33, escaped the blaze and collapsed on the street.

Danny Carr, 67, has lost his life in a devastating house fire in Albion on June 13. Picture: Supplied

Ms Boyd was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital burns unit where she remained in a critical but stable condition for several days.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Ms Boyd

Mr Carr’s daughter Shontelle Robinson said she was told the 33-year-old, who she referred to as her dad’s “carer and friend”, was released from hospital last week.

Police confirmed the blaze was being treated as suspicious and declared the unit a crime scene, however investigations into the source and origin of the blaze remain ongoing.

Speaking two weeks after the fatal fire, Ms Robinson said her family were yet to receive any “answers”.

Police at the scene of a fatal unit fire in Albion. Photo: Steve Pohlner

“I haven’t been able to grieve yet, I won’t let myself go there, I’m on adrenaline … I’m the only one planning his funeral because I’m his next of kin,” she said.

“I can’t have my moment yet with him because it’s just too much, I’ve got one mission and that’s to bury my dad … I was his little princess.”

Ms Robinson described the retired truck driver as “selfless”.

She said friends and family felt “indebted” to the 67-year-old.

“(Dad) was very social … he was a people person … he was the leader of the pack,” Ms Robinson said.

Ms Robinson said her father received an inheritance after the death of his own father last year, around the same time Mr Carr and Ms Boyd moved in together.

“(Dad) lived in that unit with (Ms Boyd) … she was his carer … carer and friend,” she said.

Ms Robinson said media reports that Mr Carr was wheelchair bound were incorrect but confirmed the 67-year-old used a “walking stick” to help with his mobility and was legally blind following an eye stroke about 15 years ago.

Firefighters at the scene. Picture: John Gass

“He was in hospital a couple of weeks before the fire, doctors believed he’d had another stroke,” she said.

Mr Carr’s grandson Thor Matich said the 67-year-old was his “childhood hero”.

“I spent a lot of time with (poppy) … I was his first grandchild,” Mr Matich said.

“I always looked up to him, he was a very generous man.”

Speaking about the fire, Mr Matich said “there’s definitely answers that we’re all still waiting for”.

“That’s probably the hardest thing because we don’t know how it happened or what happened,” he said.

Another family member, Jorja Swain said Mr Carr lived a “full life”.

“No one would have expected for his life to end this way, his family and friends are all struggling to come to terms with what has happened, and are eager to find out the cause of the fire,” he said.

“Danny lived a full life, some would say he has experienced enough for three lifetimes.

“He married young and had three children who loved him with all their hearts.

“Danny will be dearly missed by all he knew, especially by his mother, siblings, his children and their mother, as well as his grandchildren.”

Mr Carr will be farewelled by friends and family during a private funeral service on July 5.