Seven children, two adults hurt in Hervey Bay house fire

A three-year-old has been placed in an induced coma after being critically injured in a fire that destroyed her family’s Hervey Bay home overnight.

A Hervey Bay family of nine has “lost everything” after a fire destroyed their home and left their three-year-old daughter in hospital with critical burns.

Emergency crews were called to a fire at a single storey home in Haupt Ave, Pialba, about 8.40pm on Saturday.

A Queensland Ambulance spokeswoman says two adults and seven children - all siblings — were taken to Hervey Bay hospital on Saturday night.

Queensland Ambulance Service operations supervisor Logan McIntosh said the age of the children ranged from 2 to 14, with the three-year-old critically injured.

She had suffered airway burns during the blaze, he said.

The toddler also had burns to 30 per cent of her body, including her face, neck and arms, he said.

Relatives revealed on Sunday the three-year-old was now in an induced coma.

They also said the eldest son in the family was being hailed as a hero after pulling up a burning garage door to search for one of his siblings.

He suffered burns to his fingers during the rescue.

Mr McIntosh said it was critically important for people to have a fire escape plan.

His words were echoed by Hervey Bay station officer Curtis Yates, who praised the speed at which crews arrived at the fire and were able to extinguish it.

He said it was always difficult for first responders to attend an incident in which people had been injured, particularly children.

The house was extensively damaged in the blaze. Picture: Jessica Grewal

The three-year-old girl suffering critical burns to her body was then transferred to hospital in Brisbane, according to a cousin, where she remains in a critical condition.

The girl’s siblings have been released from hospital, two with burns to their hands and the other four suffering smoke inhalation.

The mother remains in hospital.

Neighbours Harmony Barnes and Byron Blanch described hearing screaming at first, then seeing the flames.

Harmony said the scene was quite shocking for the quiet street with fire crews, paramedics and and police assisting the family and fighting the flames.

The couple said their hearts went out to the family and especially the toddler who was seriously injured.

The family’s cousin is calling for donations from the public after the horrific incident.

“Any donation would be greatly appreciated as they lost everything. Nappies, clothes, shoes, etc.”

Firefighters at the scene of a Hervey Bay house fire in which seven children were injured. Picture: Jessica Grewal

A fire investigator has attended the scene of the fire on Sunday morning, as investigations into the cause of the blaze get under way.

The fire was extinguished by 9.05pm.

Police guarded the scene overnight, with two crews on the scene until about 12am.

An exclusion zone was established around the property but has since been lifted.

The garage doors have buckled in the blaze.

An exclusion zone has been established around the property. Picture: Jessica Grewal

Firefighters spent several hours hosing down the blackened shell of the low-set brick home which suffered significant damage and shattered windows.

Members of the Hervey Bay community have rallied around the family.

Krystal Hoare commented on a Facebook post that she was a member of the family and thanked everyone for their support.

“We would like to thank everyone for being so kind and help out our family it is greatly appreciated.”

Fire investigators have returned to the scene on Sunday morning. Picture: Carlie Walker