Ben Stonehouse: Mum Christie fights for travel costs after son dies in house fire

A mother who held her son’s hand as he died of burns from a mystery double-fatal house fire in Townsville 10 months ago, says she has been battling bureaucracy ever since.

Christie Stonehouse with a picture of her son Ben at the Garbutt house where he was killed after a fire. Picture: Evan Morgan

A mother who held her son’s hand as he died from burns sustained in a mystery double-fatal house fire in Townsville 10 months ago, says she has been battling cruel bureaucracy on multiple fronts ever since.

Benjamin Stonehouse succumbed to his injuries in Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital following the explosive blaze in Chandler Street, Garbutt on Friday, July 12.

Mate Seth Gillespie, also 18, died of his injuries at Townsville University Hospital.

Ben’s mum Christie, speaking on the 10-month anniversary of her son’s tragic passing, said she was yet to be recompensed the about $500 she was owed for her flight to be by her son’s bedside as he drew his last breath on July 13.

An inferno tears through a home in Chandler Street, Garbutt. Townsville teen Ben Stonehouse and Seth Gillespie, also 18, were killed in the aftermath of the devastating blaze, the cause of which is before the Coroner. Picture: Supplied

Ms Stonehouse said she flew with sister Vicki on the 6am flight and was at the hospital by 9am.

“We got up to the ICU and that’s when they’ve told us the significance of Ben’s burns, when Ben left Townsville it was 70 per cent, when we got there it was 85 per cent full thickness (third-degree),” she said.

“My heart went through the floor … he was in organ failure, there was no hope, he wasn’t coming back from it … we switched his life support off at 11.36am; he was gone by 11.46am.”

Young Townsville man Ben Stonehouse tragically died of critical burn injuries in Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital a day after the house fire in Chandler Street, Garbutt. Picture: Supplied

Ms Stonehouse said the cost of her flights went on Vicki’s credit card but she was yet to be reimbursed by Townsville University Hospital.

“Here we are, 10 months later and I am still waiting … I know it seems insignificant but it’s the fact that they’ve said, ‘yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ll pay for them’.”

In the cruellest of twists, Ms Stonehouse said she had been repeatedly forced to visit a bank to check whether the money had been transferred into her deceased son’s bank account.

“Because Ben was over 18, the money has to go back into his account, so we’ve been going to the bank, checking Ben’s bank account, nothing … still waiting, still no money.”

She said ordeal was horrific as the bank tellers constantly asked where her son was given he was an adult and that he needed to be present during any transaction.

“I say, ‘it’s a bit bloody hard’ … every time I’ve got to explain that Ben’s gone,”

Speaking on Wednesday, she said she had been contacted by the bank, which had apologised.

Christie Stonehouse at the condemned home in Garbutt. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes again extended his condolences to Ms Stonehouse, confirming that she had lodged a claim for costs under the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme.

“The claim required additional documentation to finalise payment under the scheme’s guidelines, and our staff had been in contact with the family to assist with this,” he said.

“However, given the distress being experienced by Ms Stonehouse and her family, and the time that has passed since her son’s death, I have approved an ex-gratia payment for Ms Stonehouse’s travel costs.”

Mr Keyes provided an assurance that the costs would be reimbursed within seven business days.

“Again, my sincerest condolences to Ms Stonehouse and her family as they continue to grieve their loss.”

Christie Stonehouse stands under the her son's bedroom at the Garbutt house where he was killed after a fire. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ms Stonehouse, who is living with her mother, said the family-owned home in Chandler Street was not insured after premiums hiked from $8000 per year to $20,000 just prior to the fire.

She said the insurers claimed the property was in a flood-zone despite never having flooded since it was brought in 1994.

The cause of the fire, deaths and serious injury to a third tenant – Ms Stonehouse’s elderly cousin Mervin Jackson, 67, – are before the Coroner.

Ms Stonehouse said Mr Jackson suffered third-degree burns to both legs, his right arm and face.

She said she did not want to speculate on what had occurred but said the wiring, gas lines and plumbing had all just been upgraded.

“People are blaming the wiring, it wasn’t the wiring.”

Ms Stonehouse said Northern Coroner Stephanie Williams and Townsville police investigators had been excellent to deal with in the circumstances.

“I’m just trying to be patient and work with her and I get it, she’s got a huge workload in front of her … it’s just a matter of sitting and waiting and I think that is where I am getting frustrated, it’s the unknown at the minute.”

Ben Stonehouse and horse Turbo. Picture: Supplied

Young Townsville man Ben Stonehouse who was tragically killed in a house fire in Chandler Street, Garbutt. Picture: Supplied

Ms Stonehouse said the Townsville City Council had demanded she bulldoze the Chandler Street property but were not allowing her to do it.

“People have offered to give us a hand who have got dozers, they’ve got excavators, they’ve got all the tickets to operate the machinery, and then council turn around and say, ‘oh no, you can’t enter the yard’.”

Christie Stonehouse holds the urn with her son's ashes at the Garbutt house where Ben was killed after a fire. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville City Council confirmed that it had issued an enforcement notice for the demolition of the gutted home.

“The property contains asbestos and requires development permits from a private building certifier for the demolishment or removal of the house from the land,” a TCC spokeswoman said.

“Council is focused on the health and safety of the demolition crew, nearby residents and the environment.”

She said demolition works “must be conducted in line with asbestos legislation and best codes of practice”.

“Council staff have extended their condolences to the owner and continue to stay in touch with her to ensure the directions laid out are being met in a safe way.”

Originally published as Ben Stonehouse: Mum Christie fights for travel costs after son dies in house fire