Family left helpless after home gutted by fire
Children were passed out windows and carried through doors to ensure everyone in the family of 10 got out safely.
Gatton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gatton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A GATTON family has lost everything except their passports and clothes they were wearing after their home was destroyed this morning.
Five adults and five children were asleep in their Hill Street house when they were woken by loud bang at about 4am.
Tenant Charlene Manuel, who was sleeping in the lounge room at the time, said her biggest priority was getting everybody out safely.
"Everything was up in flames, everything was gone, there was nothing for us to do but get the kids away," Ms Manuel said.
"The fire was that intense it blew the windows out on the side of the carport and started leaning down onto the car and burning the car.
"The ceiling was blue and red and yellow."
Children were passed out windows and carried through doors to ensure everyone got out safely.
Ms Manuel said the flames were so severe she couldn't tell which children she was carrying.
"I yelled out to my partner Tom to get up. He went straight over to try and stamp and whack it, by then I don't remember seeing any more flames," she said.
Fifteen minutes after the fire started everyone was accounted for, except Ms Manuel's 10-year-old granddaughter.
"Tommy was still in the house running around, getting burnt on the feet searching for the 10-year-old," Ms Manuel said.
"A neighbour heard my granddaughter screaming from her window, so he told her to jump."
The family of 10 escaped with no injuries expect for Ms Manuel's partner Tommy who was treated for burns on his feet.
He was treated at Gatton hospital and released before 10am this morning.
With nothing but their passports and clothes on their back the family is lost for words.
"I don't know what we will do now because we are New Zealand citizens so we get nothing entitled," Ms Manuel said.
"Now we've lost everything, I don't know what to do."
Today is also Ms Manuel's daughter Charlene's 18th birthday.
"My father came up Tuesday last week and daughter last night to celebrate her birthday this Saturday," she said.
"Everything about today was (meant to be) planning for the birthday."
Homeowner Victor Odgaard said the fire had cause irreversible damage.
"I don't think it will be rebuilt, I will just sell the block," he said.
It is suspected the fire was started by an oil heater but emergency services are yet to confirm.
Originally published as Family left helpless after home gutted by fire
Why most Queenslanders don’t want ‘cheap’ Games
Many Queenslanders have resoundingly rejected Premier Steven Miles’ no frills option for an Olympic Games stadium, instead backing the more ambitious proposals which could also lure major artists like Taylor Swift to Queensland. SPECIAL REPORT
Fentiman’s homework-gate claims over LNP’s kindy plan
Shannon Fentiman says the LNP’s free hearing, vision and speech tests for kindy kids is another example of David Crisafulli “not having one new idea”.
Where 60 per cent of voters prefer Steven Miles and Labor
An exclusive Courier-Mail poll reveals Queensland is divided, with Premier Steven Miles holding an overwhelming majority in one part of the state while David Crisafulli dominates in the regions.
Who won week three? Watch most BRUTAL Voter Verdict yet
The Courier-Mail’s Voter Verdict have weighed in on the third week of the election campaign with a brutal assessment of both leaders. But who won the week?
Premier vows to open 10 new police beats despite 42 closing
Steven Miles will attempt to open 10 new police beats if elected, despite 42 beats closing since Labor has been in power, something the Premier says was a police service decision.
Your ultimate guide to every gun club in Queensland
A new public shooting gallery catering to unlicensed shooters as young as 11 has opened as firearm sports experience a surge in popularity. See our exclusive list of all gun clubs in Queensland.