House burnt out across the road from City Centre Plaza on Alma St, Rockhampton
The occupants of a home ravaged by fire escaped the blaze which horrified one neighbour, who said he could have “lost everything” if the fire jumped to his house. Read about his terrifying experience.
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Rockhampton Police have declared a crime scene at a home across the road from the City Centre Plaza on Alma St after the house was ravaged by fire late on Friday.
Emergency services received the call to attend the fire at 5.30pm on March 8 and the street remained blocked off at 7.20pm while two firefighters in breathing apparatus went inside the Alma St home.
A neighbour who asked to remain anonymous said they were in their bedroom when they could smell something burning, which they initially believed to be from a fire in a barrel.
“I came out onto my porch and I could see the entire 102 Alma St engulfed in flame, smoke (and) there were some loud popping sounds and then flames just came out of the house in about a few seconds,” they said.
The neighbour said it was extremely frightening because the houses were so close, making the prospect of the fire jumping onto a possibility.
“I could have lost everything,” they said.
“It’s terrifying... because the houses are so close together.”
The neighbour said several people were home at the time.
As of 8.30pm, an Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were still on standby at the scene.
Six fire crews rushed to put out the blaze on Alma St when the house was fully alight.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said firefighters had “knocked down” the fire by 6.30pm, and there appeared to be no flames from outside.
Neither houses on each side of the house were damaged by fire, but firefighters did go inside one home.
The three-bedroom home was built in 1940 last sold in 2007 for $222,000.
It was last advertised for rent in 2016 for $180, compared for $280 in 2012.
The Mackay-based home owners also own the neighbouring properties at 98 and 102 Alma Street.
A suspicious fire broke out at 108 Alma Street in July 2021, three doors down from the latest fire.
The blaze started at the PureComm building and spread quickly to the home next door, destroying it.
There were minor explosions in the fire due to gas.
The home had been abandoned and was frequented by squatters.
No one was inside either properties during the fire.
Neighbours reported seeing juveniles at the home prior to the fire.
It was declared suspicious by police at the time and however the investigation still remains active.
Originally published as House burnt out across the road from City Centre Plaza on Alma St, Rockhampton
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