Two families ripped apart after ‘heartbreaking’ fire
Tributes have poured in for a woman and two boys killed in a horror house fire, after police declared a second crime scene as they look to determine the cause.
A second crime scene has been established after a woman and two boys were killed in a horror house fire that has ripped apart two families.
A central Queensland community is reeling after the bodies of three people were found in the charred remains of a two-storey home in Gladstone.
Tributes have poured in for the victims who have been identified in multiple media reports as Jordana Johnson, 36, her 12-year-old son Jordan Norris and his friend Chazz Mather, also 12.
The blaze erupted in the early hours of Wednesday reportedly during a sleepover, causing the house to partially collapse.
The community has rallied around the victims’ families as police investigate the fire’s cause, setting up another crime scene.
Emergency services were called to the Toolooa home at 5.56am on Wednesday but by the time multiple crews arrived the house was “fully engulfed” by fire.
A crime scene was declared at the house after it took crews almost two hours to extinguish the blaze.
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Multiple people were unaccounted for but search efforts were initially hampered after the top storey collapsed before emergency services made the grisly discoveries.
Police on Thursday confirmed a second crime scene had been established in nearby Trevally Street.
Tributes have begun online for the victims as the community tries to comprehend the tragedy.
“Rip jordana, Jordan and chazz …Condolences to the families and friends. My son went to school with them .. truly heartbreaking !!!” one local posted on Facebook.
Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher backed the community to support the victims’ families, describing it as a “difficult time of sadness and grief”.
However he urged locals not to spread misinformation online.
“I kindly ask that we all respect their wishes and refrain from posting unwanted comments on various posts,” he said in a statement.
“There is a lot of incorrect information circulating, and the focus should be on supporting those affected, not spreading misinformation.”
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Queensland parliament is currently sitting but Butcher said he had left for Gladstone to support the victims’ families.
“Please be mindful, respectful and considerate as our community comes together to help those who are grieving,” he said.
Butcher said his thoughts were with the family, friends and loved ones of the victims but also paid tribute to first responders.
Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett said the local community had “wrapped their arms” around the affected families.
“There’s two families involved here, and my heart breaks for them all,” he told AAP.
“It’s just a terrible time, particularly when children are involved.
“As you can understand, the families are very distraught right now.”
Neighbours reportedly heard “two bangs” and screams for help as the fire erupted.
It may take days to determine the full circumstances.
“It is a tragic event,” Detective Acting Superintendent Luke Peachey told reporters.
“Obviously, the fire scene is very horrific … and will take some time to go through.”
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beyondblue 1300 22 4636
-with AAP
