Police call for witnesses of Emerald fire
McFarlane described his injuries as “more psychological than physical.”
Their father was in Toowoomba for medical treatment and their mother was one of the couple who ran away from home.
Among the identified victims was toddler Maddison.
The children’s great-aunt Sally Woulfe told Nine News they were much loved.
“They’re an Aboriginal family; they’ve got lots of aunts, lots of uncles,” he added. “This is a small community, so this will impact many families, not just our family.”
McFarlane said neighbors tried to extinguish the flames with garden hoses when emergency services arrived.
The fire, which spread from one house to another around 13.30, was taken under control by firefighters.
The site of the deadly fire at Emerald.Credit: Nine
“An investigation is ongoing and involves multiple specialist departments from Rockhampton and also Brisbane to determine the exact cause of the fire,” he said.
The house is state-owned and the possible cause of the e-scooter battery is being investigated.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing and Public Works said the ministry was deeply saddened by this news and offered support to the families, loved ones and neighbors of the deceased.
“We will also provide all assistance to the Queensland Police Service and other lead investigators as they attempt to determine the cause of the fire,” a department spokesman said.
The house on Opal Street belongs to the government.Credit: Nine
McFarlane said the scene inside and outside the house was “very sad and tragic”.
“A lot of families are gathered there,” he said.
“Here in Emerald there are close-knit extended families and they rally around each other.”
On Thursday morning, Prime Minister David Crisafulli said it was “incredibly sad that four people have lost their lives.”
“There’s no doubt that when you’re dealing with small towns, those connections will be felt and the loss will be felt very deeply,” the Prime Minister told reporters.
The fire broke out just weeks after a woman was charged with murder in the deaths of mother Jordana Johnson and her two boys, who died in a house fire in Gladstone.
with Abbey Geran
