Lawnton blaze: One person dead, four in hospital after early‑morning fire

Emergency services were called to Darcy Way at Lawnton after reports of a significant house fire. Photo / Patrick Woods

A fire which tore through a home in Brisbane’s north early on Sunday morning left one person dead and four others fighting for life.

Emergency services were called to Darcy Way in Lawnton just after 5.30am following reports of a significant fire.

At least five fire crews battled the fire, which they also had to shield neighbouring homes while containing the blaze.

One person was declared deceased at the scene.

Four others, a teenage boy, a teenage girl, a man in his 30s, and a woman in her 30s, were taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in life-threatening condition, Queensland Ambulance confirmed.

Nearby homes were evacuated, but residents were allowed to return shortly after 6.50am.

Neighbours described a chaotic scene as screaming and banging rang out before a family rushed on to the street.

Resident Stacey Maskell told the Courier Mail she initially thought another house was on fire after hearing the commotion and saw someone being doused with water as others tried to cool what appeared to be burns.

“I saw them tipping water over someone,” she said.

Another neighbour, Steven Cannon, called it “insane”.

“I heard people arguing, and then I came out and saw the smoke. Then all hell broke loose.”

Premier David Crisafulli said the people involved, neighbours, and first responders were in his thoughts.

“It involves young people, it’s a tight-knit part of the city and it’s a tight-knit community.”

A crime scene has been established, and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

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