Triple Tragedy in Toolooa: Homicide Squad Investigates House Fire That Claimed Lives of Woman and Two School-Aged Boys
- Homicide police are investigating a devastating house fire that killed a woman and two young boys in the Gladstone suburb of Toolooa.
- The blaze, which occurred on Whiting Street, has left the community in shock and police are appealing for anyone with information or CCTV footage to come forward.
- A fourth person, known to the family, was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been discharged.
A horror house fire has ripped through a family home in central Queensland, claiming the lives of a woman and two school-aged boys. The devastating blaze, which occurred on Whiting Street in the Gladstone suburb of Toolooa, has left the community reeling and police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Emergency services were called to the scene just before 6am on Wednesday, with neighbours alerting authorities to the fire. Within 15 minutes of firefighters arriving, the two-storey home had collapsed, leaving nothing but a smouldering ruin.
Acting Superintendent Luke Peachey, who is leading the investigation, described the situation as “hectic”, with several people attempting to gain access to the home during the blaze. “It’s three unexplained deaths… we’ve engaged with the homicide investigation unit in Brisbane and they’re here in Gladstone at the moment,” he said.
Police are keeping an open mind about the direction of the investigation, but have revealed that a car parked near the home had been burnt out before the blaze. A fourth person, known to the family, was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been discharged.
Acting Superintendent Peachey urged anyone who witnessed any unusual activity in the Whiting Street area between 5am and 6:30am to come forward. “We’ve obviously had the lives of three persons lost here… anytime a tragedy like this occurs, the whole community goes into mourning,” he said.
A second crime scene has been established on nearby Trevally Street, with police investigating a possible link between a property on that street and the destroyed home. Forensic investigations are also underway at the Trevally Street house.
The community has come together to pay tribute to the victims, with mourners laying flowers and tributes outside the destroyed home. “Our deepest sympathies go to that family and all those involved,” Acting Superintendent Peachey said.
Police are appealing for anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact them. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to piece together the events surrounding the tragic house fire.