Rieley Bell, 20, killed in Warwick house fire

Friends have paid tribute to a young man killed in a house fire as police reveal his two dogs, initially believed to have also died, may have escaped.

Investigators are continuing to probe the cause of a fire that claimed the life of Rieley Bell, 20, in Warwick on Monday night.

Friends have paid tribute to Rieley, describing him as a genuine bloke.

“I don’t know where to begin, Rieley was amazing,” Cassie Somers said.

Rieley Bell, 20, died, along with two dogs after the Warwick fire. Photo: Facebook

“He was always there when you needed him, he was happy, bubbly and saw the best in everything.”

“He loved cars and his friends, he actually just fixed my car two nights ago.”

Rieley’s best mate Coby Armstrong said the last time the pair spoke was a few hours before the tragedy struck

“I ended with us saying our usual ‘much love brother’,” he said.

“He was one of my best mates in high school and we got each other through a lot together.

“He was down to earth but definitely a fun guy.”

It was initially reported that Rieley perished along with his two dogs, but Southern Downs Patrol Group Inspector Kelly Hanlen said that extensive searches of the property had not located the animals.

“The dogs are missing,” she said.

“They may have run away.”

There were several unconfirmed reports that Rieley had initially left the property before re-entering to rescue his dogs.

“The exact cause is still undetermined, it will need to be forensically tested and waiting on the result of autopsy,” Inspector Hanlen said.

“The fire may have started toward the rear of the property.”

Police emergency services responded to Pratten St in Warwick, following reports of a house on fire about 9.45pm on Monday.

The scene of a fatal house fire in Warwick. Photo: Seven News.

Queensland Fire Department reported they had several units at the scene of the ‘significant fire’ with residents urged to avoid the area.

Neighbours reported hearing firefighters yelling and banging on the dwelling in an effort to alert Mr Bell and access the property.

Police are investigating after a 20-year-old man Rieley Bell died in house fire near the intersection of Pratten and William streets in Warwick, on January 6, 2025.

Inspector Hanlen said while a crime scene had been declared, the initial investigations did not indicate the fire was suspicious, but it will still take some time to determine a cause.

QFD reported the main fire was brought under control about 11.30pm with firefighters dampening down any hotspots.

Rieley Bell died in a house fire at a Pratten Street address in Warwick, on January 6, 2025.

Locals were devastated by the news of the young man’s death.

Jacob, 17, lives nearby and had known Rieley for about two years.

“He was a good mate of my brother,” he said.

Tributes to the young man flowed on Facebook in the hours after the tragedy.

“Very sad my uncle died on Anzac Day in Warwick saving his family and his dogs. Rest in peace young man … and your beautiful fur babies ,’’ Tracey Leigh Stone posted.

 “Oh gosh what a tragedy! Such a young life lost!,’’’ Rebecca Kinsella wrote.

Isobel Armstrong said it was “so very sad”. “What a way to start the new year for them.”

Residents also reported the home had only just been sold.

“I was told that they were moving out yesterday,” Amy Mckandie said.

“We could hear the fire alarms going off outside.” 

The fatal Warwick house fire is the third in a matter of days in Queensland.

In Mackay, a 71-year-old woman died after a kitchen fire spun out of control.

Police said a 25-year-old male, identified as the son of the deceased, was cooking on the kitchen stove.

“He forgot to turn the stove off, left it unattended and the fire quickly engulfed the area and he was unable to extinguish the fire,” Detective Inspector Novosel said.

He attempted to evacuate his mother, 71, from the house when the flames and smoke became “too much for the both of them”. “He was unable to assist his mother and he left the dwelling without her,” Detective Inspector Novosel said.

In Townsville, a single mother and her 10 children are now homeless after a fire engulfed their home on Sunday night.

Anyone with information about the Warwick fire is urged to contact police.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Originally published as Rieley Bell, 20, killed in Warwick house fire