Townsville house fire: Two teens die from critical burns in Garbutt blaze

Two teenagers have tragically died from horrific burn injuries sustained in a Townsville house fire, Queensland Police Service confirmed on Saturday evening.

House destroyed in Garbutt with two men taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Two teenagers have tragically died from horrific burn injuries sustained in a Townsville house fire, Queensland Police Service confirmed on Saturday evening.

The teens, both aged 18, suffered critical burns in the blaze at the private address on Chandler Street, Garbutt just after 3pm on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as being from Garbutt and Bohle, both in Townsville, respectively.

“Two other male occupants who were at the address at the time of the fire were not physically injured,” QPS said in a statement.

“Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, and officers are appealing to members of the public who may have relevant CCTV or dash-cam vision to come forward.”

Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed that two men had suffered serious burns in the blaze on Chandler Street, Garbutt just after 3pm. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Queensland Ambulance Service said multiple paramedics attended the house fire, transporting three people to Townsville University Hospital.

In addition to the two teens, QAS said the third victim, a man in his 70s, suffered burns to his arms and legs.

He was listed as being in a stable condition on Friday.

One of the teens died overnight while the second had been flown to Brisbane in a critical condition before succumbing to his injuries.

QPS said on Friday it was too early to say what had sparked the fire.

A senior Queensland Fire and Emergency officer on scene said the two-story wooden house was well ablaze when multiple crews arrived just after 3pm.

Stephen Hourn, station officer for South Townsville, Picture: Nikita McGuire

Stephen Hourn, station officer for South Townsville, confirmed two people had been injured.

“The house had sustained significant fire, smoke and water damage,” he said.

The officer said it was too early to determine what had caused the fire.

House destroyed in Garbutt with two men taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

He said the fire was intense but did not spread to neighbouring properties.

A neighbour said there were three explosions, with residents coming out on to the street to see huge flames erupting from the house.

A young man said he was at his mum’s house “when I looked out the window, saw the fire and came running out”.

House destroyed in Garbutt with two men taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“It was full-on flames ... there were a bunch of people, fire trucks, police, everything, it was pretty hectic,” he said.

“There was yelling as well, everyone was yelling and the smoke was coming towards us.”

Like other witnesses, he said he heard a “big bang”.

More to come.

Originally published as Townsville house fire: Two teens die from critical burns in Garbutt blaze