Fears for child, others critically injured after house fire in Harristown, Queensland

A child was missing and several others were left fighting for their lives in hospital after fire ripped through a Queensland home overnight.

A body has been found inside a home in Queensland’s southwest that was gutted by fire overnight, leaving another three people fighting for their lives in hospital.

The home on Merritt St, Harristown was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at about 12.30am on Wednesday.

Initial investigations indicate six people – a 34-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman, and four children – were able to escape the property after the fire broke out, police say.

A child is missing after a horror fire engulfed a Toowoomba region home overnight with six people managing to escape. Photo: ABC News

The woman and two girls – one a toddler and the other of primary school age – were rushed to Toowoomba Hospital with critical injuries, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.

The man suffered significant arm injuries and was taken to Toowoomba Hospital with “potentially life-threatening” injuries.

The front of the house was most impacted by the blaze.

The woman and another two children are fighting for their lives in hospital. Photo: Jarrard Potter

The other two children were both taken to hospital in stable conditions.

A fifth child from the home was unaccounted for as of about 6am on Wednesday, with police later confirming a body had been found inside.

They have not been formally identified.

Speaking to reporters later on Wednesday morning, Darling Downs District Acting Superintendent Scott Stahlhut expressed his condolences for all those impacted.

“Sadly we are here today to report on a tragic event,” he said.

“Any fire that results in a loss in life is tragic.”

Police said investigations are still in infant stages. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Darling Downs District Detective Inspector Renee Garske said a crime scene had been declared, with the homicide squad working with local police to try to determine the cause of the fire.

“We know from the early investigations that six people managed to escape that fire - four children and two adults,” she said.

“At this stage that will formulate part of our investigation.”

Inspector Gaske appealed to anyone who may have relevant information to come forward.

“This is a tragic event and we are deeply saddened by this incident,” she said.

“Our hearts go out to the Toowoomba community at this time, and the family and friends of the persons involved in this incident.”

A neighbour said earlier on Wednesday morning that he was heading to bed at about 12.30am when he heard screams and saw “a commotion” across the road, as reported by the ABC.

“I was thinking, ‘What’s going on over there?’ … looking out the windows, you see a little flicker of yellow and just (think), ‘Oh God – that’s a fire,” he said.

“So, straight onto triple-0 and got the fireys and ambulance.”

The fire has since been extinguished and a crime scene established at the property.

Investigations are under way to determine the cause of the fire, but police said it is still in the early stages.

Police are asking anyone who may have information or relevant vision to come forward.

Originally published as Fears for child, others critically injured after house fire in Harristown, Queensland