Fire destroys Proserpine’s Spalla Drive home in early morning fire

Residents have described the moment they woke to discover their neighbour’s house consumed by flames as emergency crews rushed to save nearby homes from destruction.

Spalla Drive home in Proserpine goes up in flames, July 2021. Picture: Contributed

UPDATE 10AM: Proserpine residents woke to loud bangs in the early hours of Tuesday to discover “flames way up in the air” outside their bedroom windows.

An elderly couple a few doors down from the Spalla Drive fire said it was not the sirens that woke them but “all the noise and flashing lights” about 3am.

The pair said they had earlier heard “banging all night” before the fire with their dog growling at the disturbance.

Sergeant Flynn said the home was occupied when the blaze began and was “fully engulfed” when four residents fled. Picture: Contributed

Proserpine police Sergeant Mark Flynn said the fire was being treated as suspicious as investigations continued.

Sergeant Flynn said the home was occupied when the blaze began and was “fully engulfed” when four residents fled.

He said they were waiting for fire investigators to arrive at the scene. Another neighbour who has lived on the street for about two decades said the emergency was “too close to home”.

“I heard the sirens and thought geez, that’s a bit close,” she said.

Sergeant Flynn said the home was occupied when the blaze began and was “fully engulfed” when four residents fled. Picture: Kirra Grimes

The woman said she did not know any of the four residents but believed they were young.

“I feel sorry for them, they’ve lost everything,” she said. “I don’t wish it on anybody.”

A builder passing by the scene said the house appeared to have been shifted from another location but did not know when.

The Proserpine house on Spalla Drive destroyed by fire, July 2021. Picture: Kirra Grimes

There was also a lawnmower wrapped in police tape nearby the home.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokeswoman said three crews were sent to battle the blaze with the fire majority extinguished by 5am.

She said firefighters remained on scene until about 7am. More to come.

INITIAL 8.30AM: A roaring blaze has destroyed a Proserpine home overnight with fire crews battling desperately to save the fire from spreading to neighbouring houses.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the crews were called to the incident on Spalla Dr about 3.30am.

The spokeswoman said three crews worked to protect the blaze from spreading to neighbouring houses and managed to contain the fire.

The majority of the fire was extinguished by 5am however QFES remained on scene until about 7am.

The spokeswoman said all people were out of the burning house when crews arrived.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were called but no-one needed treatment.

Police remain on scene.

Originally published as Fire destroys Proserpine’s Spalla Drive home in early morning fire