Shock as residents recall “friendly” neighbour who died in major Upper Coomera house fire

Residents were left in shock after a man described as a “friendly neighbour” died in a major house fire on the Gold Coast. WATCH THE VIDEO

Neighbours have expressed their shock and grief following the death of a 52-year-old man in a massive house fire on the northern Gold Coast.

At 10am on Saturday, police attended a house on Stanfield Drive, Upper Coomera after a “concerning” phone call.

But shortly after arriving a massive explosion blew out the windows and forced the roof upwards – killing the man inside.

It is understood that the police visit was one of a number of welfare checks on the man, who is believed to have been living alone, in recent days.

Investigators at Stanfield Dr, Upper Coomera where a man has died in a house explosion. Picture: John Gass

Next door neighbour Mason Burr, 35, had only moved into the property four months ago and recalled the 52-year-old as “your average friendly neighbour”.

Mr Burr said: “I actually only properly met him two weeks ago.”

“It was just a quick ten minute conversation but we said Hi and he was introducing himself to me because I just moved in – said if I needed any help with the yard to let him know.”

“Just good neighbourly kind of stuff.”

Mr Burr said he was aware his neighbour had a wife and children but said he believed they had moved out of the property a few weeks ago. Mr Burr had been out shopping at the time, when the explosion happened, but returned to find police had rescued his dogs before the fire could harm them.

“By the time I arrived the fire was mostly under control but it was terrifying,” he added.

Forensic police and QFES are continuing to investigate the cause of the inferno.

EARLIER: MAN DIES IN STANFIELD DRIVE, UPPER COOMERA HOUSE FIRE

A 52-year-old man has died in a massive house fire on the northern Gold Coast which erupted shortly after police knocked on the door.

Senior Sergeant Brett MacGibbon said officers attended the house not long after 10am after a call was made to police.

“We attended due to the concerning nature of that call,” he said.

“A crew has gone out and knocked on the door.

“Not more than 20 or 30 seconds after that there’s been a massive explosion.

“Our officers retreated and called for assistance.”

Fire investigators at the scene of the blaze in Stanfield Drive, Upper Coomera. Picture: Richard Gosling.

Windows were blown out and a roof forced upwards by the force of the explosion at the Stanfield Drive, Upper Coomera house where the man who died was believed to have lived alone.

It is understood that the police visit on Saturday morning was one of a number of welfare checks on the man to take place at the house in recent days.

Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene at 10.23am, with four fire crews working to extinguish the blaze, which a A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) spokesperson said was “well involved” when they arrived.

Emergency services at the scene. Picture: Richard Gosling.

Energex crews also attended to ensure the safety of local residents and emergency services.

A QFES fire investigation team was later seen working at the property as authorities began work to establish the cause of the inferno.

Damage to the roof at the front of the property. Picture: Richard Gosling.

Windows were blown out by the force of the blast. Picture: Richard Gosling.

It is not believed that anyone else was injured in the incident, with the man’s wife and three children safely accounted for.

Neighbours spoken to by the Bulletin said they were shocked and saddened by the incident on what was normally a very quiet street.

“The community here is really close,” resident Samantha Dyson said.

“A lot of people know each other. It’s a nice area. Nothing ever happens”

Neighbour Samantha Dyson. Picture: Richard Gosling.

Ms Dyson, who did not know the man who died or his family, said she heard a loud bang on Saturday morning and soon realised a large fire had taken hold of his house.

“I heard the explosion and came out the side of my house,” she said. “It (the fire) was just massive. I saw the flames reflected in my neighbour’s window and then saw all the smoke and the police car there.

“The windows looked like they were blown out.

“It was very thick smoke. The police asked everyone to move back because of the smoke.”

Police said investigations into the fire are continuing.

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