Four Dead in Queensland House Fire; Police Suspect Foul Play

Darwin, November 6 — Four bodies have been found in the charred remains of a house destroyed by fire in central Queensland early Thursday morning.

The blaze broke out shortly before 7 a.m. in the regional town of Emerald, located about 270 kilometres west of Rockhampton.

According to a report by ABC and SBS news Australia, emergency services discovered the bodies after extinguishing the fire.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service said the scene was being treated as a potential crime scene, and police along with fire investigators have launched a major investigation.

Authorities have not yet released details about the identities of the four victims.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the tragedy would have a profound impact on the entire community.

“This is an event that shakes an entire community, particularly small ones,” he said. “Through the connections of schools, sport, community groups and emergency service workers, this tragedy will touch everyone.”

“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” he added. “On behalf of the government, I extend my deepest, deepest sympathies for what is an incredibly heartbreaking experience.”

The fire comes less than a month after a suspected arson attack in Gladstone, Queensland, which killed a mother and her two young sons.

In that incident, Jordana Johnson, 36, her 12-year-old son Jordan Norris, and his 12-year-old friend Chazz Mather died in the blaze.

Police believe that fire was deliberately lit, and a 37-year-old woman from Toolooa has been charged with three counts of murder and two counts of arson.