Police say two more children have died after a suspicious house fire in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, bringing the death toll to three.
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Detective Superintendent George Marchesini says police are still in the early stages of the investigation and “don’t have all the answers at this stage”.
“We have been unable to speak with the woman at this stage, that is something our investigators are working on with the hospital to arrange but that will happen depending on her condition,” he says.
He says part of the investigation is speaking with all people, including the 36-year-old woman.
Emergency services were called to Merritt Street in Harristown about 12.30am on Wednesday, where they found the house engulfed in flames.
A body believed to be of a nine-year-old boy was discovered in the house.
“On behalf of the Queensland Police Service I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends and all those involved in this tragic event,” Detective Superintendent George Marchesini said.
Emergency crews were called to the fire on Merritt Street in Harristown about 12:30am on Wednesday. (ABC News: Will Murray)
A 34-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man and three children aged four, seven and 11 managed to escape.
Overnight, the four-year-old girl and seven-year-old girl died at Queensland Children’s Hospital from their injuries.
The woman remains in a critical condition at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital under police guard.
A crime scene was declared after the fire on Wednesday. (ABC News: Will Murray)
“We are treating this matter as suspicious,” Detective Superintendent George Marchesini said.
He said detectives from Darling Downs, members of the homicide unit and specialist teams were assisting.
“As part of our investigation we will be looking at any interaction or communication from the family with police prior to this incident,” he said.
It took four crews about half an hour to extinguish the fire. (ABC News: Will Murray)
This morning, the 34-year-old man and 18-year-old man were released from Toowoomba Hospital.
The 11-year-old boy was uninjured.
‘Breaking glass to get out’
Miles Blum, who lives on the street, said he heard commotion and people screaming and called triple-0 when he saw the fire.
“Looking out the window I saw a little flicker of yellow and I went ‘Oh god, that’s a fire’,” he said.
“They were breaking glass to get out of the windows.
“Once they opened the windows up, it went up.“
Miles Blum says he heard screaming before he saw the fire and called triple-0. (ABC News)
Premier David Crisafulli said the incident was “difficult” and “devastating”.
“We’ve got officers on the ground providing immediate support to the neighbours,” he said.
Two adults and four children managed to escape the house. (ABC News: Will Murray)
