Logan Village teen hero: Cody Rae braves inferno to rescue pets from burning property as car explodes

A southside teen is being hailed a hero after scrambling from a car seconds before it exploded and racing to rescue a horse and pets from a burning property south of Brisbane on Friday.

Former Trinity College student Cody Rae, pictured with mum-of-two Cindy Howard and her son. Cody helped to save the family’s horse and dogs and has also helped with a massive donation of groceries and necessities from Woolworths Logan Village where he works. Picture: Contributed

Logan Village teen Cody Rae is being hailed a hero after scrambling from a car seconds before it exploded and racing to rescue a horse and pets from a burning property south of Brisbane on Friday.

A high-intensity fire broke out at the Miller Rd Bridge acreage site just after 1pm, gutting the one-storey home and blowing out its windows, walls and parts of the roof.

Single mum-of-two Cindy Howard had moved into the rental in January after selling up to move into the area.

More than seven fire crews were called to the blaze, with fireys claiming it was one of the most destructive fires they had witnessed.

The road was closed to traffic for hours, and neighbours warned of massive toxic smoke plumes.

The razed house at Logan Village after the fire ripped through it on Friday, June 7. Picture: Judith Kerr

Cody, 19, a well-loved member of staff at the nearby Logan Village Woolworths, risked his own life to try to move a car parked at the property which exploded minutes after he got out.

Fireys said it was likely heat from the burning house triggered the car explosion and the teen was lucky to be alive.

The former Trinity College Beenleigh student was on his way to work when he saw smoke from the property and did a U-turn to see if anyone needed help.

Ms Howard was out running errands in another vehicle with her two children when the fire started.

The burned out car in front of the house. Picture: Contributed

Cody spent an hour helping to move a horse and dogs out of harm’s way at the property after diligently contacting emergency services.

His Woolworths colleagues later came to the rescue with donations of food and necessities.

“I did a U-turn and went back to see if there was anyone at home,” he said.

“I went around the back and saw the flames engulfing the entire back of the house.

“The blaze was really intense and it took off so fast that by the time I had called triple-0 and got back to the front of the house, the whole building was alight – it was terrifying because I was not sure if someone was inside as there was a car parked out the front.

“I got into the car to see if there was any ID or keys but there was nothing.

“By this stage the smoke was very thick and I decided to get out of the way and move a dog at the gate to safety and the horse.

“A few moments after I got out of the car, it exploded — I was lucky.”

The family was left with the clothes they were wearing. Picture: Contributed

Fortunately, a day after the fire, the family cat, Ming, was found injured but alive and taken to the local vet for intensive care.

Locals, who have rallied around Ms Howard and her two young sons renting the house, have hailed Cody a hero.

Logan Village Good Start Director Teresa Thoms swiftly moved to help the family who lost all their possessions including new beds and lounge suites and set up a crowd funding account which had raised more than $3500 after two days.

“The family had only just moved to start a new life and then this happens taking away all the hard work and now they don’t even have a car,” Ms Thoms said.

“We have started a crowd funding page so the family can use the money to buy what they need — there is nowhere at the moment for us to store fridges and beds.

“Logan Village is a community and we are all working together to make sure this family is safe and cared for.”

Logan Village teen Cody Rae was on his way to work when he stopped to rescue a horse and dogs from the burning property. Picture: Contributed

Ms Howard and her two sons aged 4 and 1, are now staying with family, where clothing and donations of necessities have been dropped off.

As they are in temporary accommodation they are now asking people to donate through the GoFundMe page.

“I had really just managed to get back on my feet and had just taken all my furniture out of storage when this happened,” Ms Howard said.

“I did not have content insurance and I’ve lost pretty much everything including the car and the kids’ car seats and the pram and all the kids’ clothes and toys.

“It’s the small things like phone cords and the kids’ iPads that we are missing.”

Good Start Early Childhood centre director Teresa Thoms has started a crowding funding page for the family and neighbours have also been helping with clothing and toys for the children.

Originally published as Logan Village teen hero: Cody Rae braves inferno to rescue pets from burning property as car explodes