Emergency crews called to South Mackay property after fire erupts in laundry

Flames could be seen building inside a Mackay property as the owner and a neighbour desperately tried to stop the blaze from moving towards gas tanks.

Five fire crews were called to a McKenney St property after a fire erupted from the laundry and spread to the garage. Picture: Luke Lay

Flames could be seen erupting inside a South Mackay home where a fire had started in the laundry, as the owner desperately tried to put out the blaze with a garden hose.
Neighbour Henk Nekker said he ran downstairs and also grabbed his hose to help before the fire moved closer to a number of gas tanks at the side.

Multiple fire crews worked to stop the fire spreading throughout the McKenney St property after the fire was reported just before 3pm Wednesday.

Henk Nekker lives across the road from where a fire broke out in the laundry of a McKenney St, South Mackay home on May 14. Picture: Luke Lay

Mr Nekker, 24, who lived across the road, said he was just about to take a nap when “I could see the smoke and I could smell it”.

He said he ran outside and could see “the flames just building in a house and the wind was blowing towards the house next door”.

He said the owner of the property was trying to put the fire out with his hose.

“I just ran across to my house, got my hose and then was trying to put it out because there was gas tanks on the side of the house,” he said.

“The flames were going towards them.”

Five fire crews were called to a McKenney St property after a fire erupted from the laundry and spread to the garage. Picture: Luke Lay

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said five crews were called to the scene and worked to contain the blaze which started in the laundry which had spread to the garage.
As a result McKenney St was closed and police were also on scene directing traffic away from the area.

Fire crews also checked the ceiling space to make sure the fire had not spread further.

All occupants were out of the property on their arrival.

More to come.

Originally published as Emergency crews called to South Mackay property after fire erupts in laundry