Queensland’s new smoke alarm legislation to be reviewed following fatal caravan fire

A double fatal caravan fire has prompted the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service to look into ‘potential amendments’ to smoke alarm legislation for movable dwellings such as caravans.

Two people died in a caravan fire in Upper Brookfield in Brisbane on Saturday. Picture: 9 News

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service officials are working on “potential amendments” to smoke alarm legislation for movable dwellings after two people died in caravan fire on the weekend.

Jane Strong, 26, from Rosedale, north of Bundaberg, and 22-year-old Eli Johnson, from Lowmead, near Gladstone died in a caravan fire at an Upper Brookfield on Saturday morning.

The fatal fire in Brisbane’s west prompted calls earlier this week for the state’s fire service to reconsider the mandatory installation of smoke alarms in all caravans and mobile homes.

“The work is complex and requires further consultation with stakeholders,” a QFES spokesman said.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said: “We take advice from the experts on matters like this, and I have asked Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to expedite its consideration of this matter”.

Two people died in a caravan fire in Upper Brookfield on Saturday morning. Picture: 9 News

“QFES is preparing advice for the government about this issue,” he said.

“We are always looking at ways to support community safety.”

“If there is more that can be done to support safety in relation to caravans and other mobile types of accommodation, the government will always give that careful consideration.”

The QFES spokesman said the fatal fire was under investigation by the Queensland Police Service (QPS).

Queensland is one of only three states in Australia where smoke alarms in caravans and mobile homes are not mandatory.

QFES recommends at least one working photoelectric smoke alarm inside the van where the bed is, and one also in the annex if someone slept in that spot.

New mum Jane Strong, 26, who died in the caravan fire, and her partner Carl Weiss, who suffered burns as he tried to help. Picture: Supplied

According to Photoelectric Smoke Alarms Australia: “In NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory, regardless of where your campervan is registered, it must be fitted with a smoke alarm by law. If you are visiting South Australia and you are on-site for 60 days or longer then a smoke alarm is required by law.”

On Sunday, QPS Brisbane region Inspector Karl Hahne said a group of adults and children were staying at the 18ha property when a fire broke out in the caravan about 4.30am.

Insp Hahne said he was not able to confirm how many people were staying at the Galvin Rd property, which he described as a series of structures including sheds and shipping containers.

He said a number of children were at the property, but none were involved in the fire.

The blaze broke out in a caravan that was underneath a semi permanent structure with a tin roof, he said.

The cause of the fire was not determined to be suspicious by investigators.