‘Heartbreaking’: two families ripped apart after fire
A second crime scene was created after a woman and two boys were killed in the house of horror fire that tore two families apart.
A community in central Queensland has been shaken after the bodies of three people were found in the charred remains of a two-storey house in Gladstone.
Tributes were paid to the victims, identified in several media reports as 36-year-old Jordana Johnson, her 12-year-old son Jordan Norris, and her friend Chazz Mather, also 12.
The fire reportedly broke out during a sleepover in the early hours of Wednesday, causing the house to partially collapse.
The community rallied around the victims’ families as police investigated the cause of the fire and prepared another crime scene.
Emergency services were called to Toolooa’s home at 5.56am on Wednesday but when multiple crews arrived the house was “fully engulfed” by fire.
The house was declared a crime scene after crews took about two hours to extinguish the fire.
Many people remained unaccounted for but search efforts were initially hampered by the collapse of the top floor before emergency services made the grisly discovery.
On Thursday police confirmed a second crime scene had been set up near Trevally Street.
Online tributes have begun for the victims as the community tries to make sense of the tragedy.
“Rip Jordana, Jordan and Chazz…Our condolences to their family and friends. My son went to school with them..truly heartbreaking!!!” a local person posted on Facebook.
Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher called on the community to support the families of the victims, describing it as a “difficult time of sadness and grief”.
However, he urged locals not to spread misinformation online.
“I ask that we all respect their wishes and refrain from posting unsolicited comments on various posts,” he said in a statement.
“There is a lot of misinformation circulating and the focus should be on supporting those affected, not on spreading misinformation.”
The Queensland parliament is currently meeting but Mr Butcher said he had traveled to Gladstone to support the families of the victims. “As our community comes together to help those who are grieving, please be mindful, respectful and considerate,” he said.
Mr Butcher said his thoughts were with the victims’ family, friends and loved ones, but he also paid tribute to first responders.
Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett said the local community had “threw its arms around” the affected families.
“There are two families here and my heart breaks for them all,” he told AAP.
“It’s a scary time, especially when children are involved.
“As you can understand, families are very devastated right now.”
It was reported that as the fire broke out, neighbors heard “two explosions” and screamed for help.
It may take days to determine all conditions.
“This is a tragic incident,” Detective Acting Inspector Luke Peachey told reporters.
“Obviously, the fire scene is terrifying… and it’s going to take some time to pass.”
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