Tweed Heads property owner charged in wake of Russell Island fatal fire

A woman has been charged months after a man and his five children were killed in a massive house fire.

A woman has been charged months after a man and his five children were killed in a house fire.

Emergency services were initially called to the property at Todman St, Russell Island, off Brisbane’s southeast coast shortly after 6am and rushed to battle the blaze, which destroyed three houses in total on August 6 last year.

Wayne Godinet, 34, and his five children, Zack 11, Harry 10, four-year-old twins Kyza and Koah, and Nicky, three, died in the blaze.

Wayne Godinet lost his life on Russell Island along with his 5 sons; Zac and Harry, twins Kysa and Koah and youngest Nicky. Picture Facebook

Emergency services were called Russell Island after six bodies were found. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

The children’s mother, Samantha Stephenson, 28, and sister were able to escape the property safely.

Mr Godinet and his sons became trapped upstairs of the two storey home after he raced back into the house to save them.

The fire sent shockwaves through the tight-knit island community, after additional resources were brought from the mainland to assist in the devastating aftermath.

Seven months on, Queensland Police have issued a 61-year-old Tweed Heads woman, who owned the Todman St property where the six family members died, with a notice to appear for failing to install smoke alarms.

Police will allege her property did not have compliant smoke alarms when the fire broke out.

It will be further alleged she wasn’t present when the fire occurred.

The woman has been served a notice to appear on one count of owners must install smoke alarms.

She is expected to appear at the Cleveland Magistrates Court on March 26.

Friends and family left flowers and teddy bears at the house following the fire. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Police are still investigating the fire as they prepare a report for the coroner. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Landlords are responsible for the installation and maintenance of working smoke alarms in Queensland rental properties.

“Within 30 days before the start of a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the lessor/landlord must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling,” according to QFES.

“During a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the tenant must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling, at least once every 12 months.”

Detectives are continuing their investigation following the fire and a final report will be given to the Coroner in the near future.

A car badly damaged by fire was seen at the premises. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass