Tragedy Strikes Emerald: Four Confirmed Dead in Devastating House Fire That Rips Through Quiet Street
- Emergency services called to Opal St in Emerald, 270km west of Rockhampton, at 6.48am on Thursday
- Four bodies found inside the property, with reports suggesting some of the victims may be children
- Police Investigation underway to determine cause of the fire, with Premier David Crisafulli describing it as a “real tragedy” that will “rock the local community”
In a devastating turn of events, four people have lost their lives in a horrific house fire that engulfed a property in Emerald, central Queensland, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Emergency services were alerted to the blaze on Opal St at 6.48am, with police confirming that the bodies of four people were found inside the property upon arrival.
The ages of the deceased are currently unknown, but unconfirmed reports suggest that some of the victims may be children. The cause of the fire remains unclear, with police launching an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Visibly distraught locals were seen embracing and laying floral tributes and teddy bears outside the home, as the community comes to terms with the devastating loss.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told 7NEWS that he had walked past the home around 6am and hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. He said a man and his children lived at the residence.
In a heartfelt statement, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the incident as a “real tragedy” that will “ripple throughout the community.” “I want to start by saying how incredibly sad it is to see the loss of four lives in that tragic house fire and how much that will rock the local community,” he said. “That loss will be felt so deeply.”
Crisafulli expressed his sympathies to the family of the deceased, as well as neighbours who raised the alarm and the first responders. Gregory MP Sean Dillon has returned to Emerald from Brisbane to offer support to the community.