Queensland Police find dead body after Bowen backpacker hostel fire

A body has been found in the wreckage of a backpacker hostel that went up in flames, with a crime scene now established.

A person has died following a fire at a backpacker hostel in far north Queensland.

The fire ripped through Barnacles Backpackers on Gordon St in Bowen, about 1150km north of Brisbane, early Wednesday morning.

Fire crews were called to the scene about 3am.

A crime scene has now been established at the hostel in Bowen. Picture: ABC

The fire hit the hostel early Wednesday morning. Picture: Maree Mac / Facebook

“Initial information indicated the building was occupied at the time of the fire however everyone evacuated safely,” the police said on Wednesday night.

“Further searches of the property located a body and forensic examination is underway to identify the deceased.”

A crime scene has been declared and the police are urging witnesses or anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the area to come forward.

Originally published as Queensland Police find dead body after Bowen backpacker hostel fire