Emerald: Four people die in horror house fire in Queensland

Four people have died in horrific circumstances after a Queensland home went up in flames early Thursday morning.

Emergency services were called to the Opal Street duplex in Emerald, 270km west of Rockhampton, at 6.48am.

The property was fully engulfed when fire fighters arrived and it took six crews around two hours to extinguish the blaze.

Police confirmed four bodies have been located and a crime scene has been declared.

A Queensland Fire Department spokesperson said fire crews attended the property at 6.50am.

“Four occupants from the building were sadly pronounced deceased at the scene. Paramedics remain on scene for fellow emergency services and community support.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the loss of life in the fire was “incredibly sad” and acknowledged how deeply the tragedy would affect the local community.

“When you deal with smaller towns, there is no doubt that those connections will be felt and the loss will be felt so deeply,” he said.

“The connections of school and support, community groups, emergency services personnel and the tragedy that it will ripple in that community.

“On behalf of everyone I want to express my deepest sympathies to the family but also to the neighbours and the emergency services involved.

“This is an incredible tragedy, and it is the kind of event that rocks all communities, particularly smaller ones.

“On behalf of the government I express my deepest sympathies for what is an incredibly harrowing experience.”

The tragedy comes less than a month after three people died in another house fire in Queensland.

The Gladstone blaze claimed the lives of Jordana Johnson, 36, Jordan Norris, 13, and Chazz Mather, 12, on October 15.

The boys were having a sleepover on the night of the fire.

Contessa Leigh Marie Richardson, who it is understood was staying at the home at the time, has been charged with three counts of murder and two counts of arson in relation to the Gladstone fire.

Anyone with information about the Emerald fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.