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The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. on July 3, on Zeil Street in Riverhills. Firefighters arrived to find the home already well alight and worked for nearly an hour to bring the flames under control. By 2:30 p.m., crews had managed to extinguish the main blaze, but hotspots smouldered for hours after.

Family Displaced, Pets Affected

Four generations of one family have been forced to find emergency accommodation after the fire destroyed what was described as their long-time family home. Homeowner Ray Lowe said no family members were inside when the fire started. The family’s dogs were safely rescued, but sadly, their pet cat did not survive.

Neighbours said they saw flames climbing through the roof as smoke spread through the street. By the time the fire was put out, parts of the roof had caved in and a staircase inside the house had collapsed, leaving the structure unsafe for hours.

Investigation Underway

Eight Queensland Fire Department crews were called to the scene, with police declaring a crime scene soon after the flames were out. Investigators believe the fire may have started on the top floor of the home but have not confirmed an exact cause.

Fire officers remained at the scene well into the evening, checking for any flare-ups and gathering information. Police worked with fire investigators to examine what was left of the house once it was safe to enter about 5:00 p.m.

Community Impact

Neighbours and local residents have offered support to the family as they begin to deal with the loss of their home and belongings. The smell of smoke lingered along Zell Street hours after the last flames were put out, a reminder of how quickly the fire spread through the house.

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Authorities have urged anyone with information or footage that might help the investigation to come forward as they work to find out exactly what sparked the blaze.

Published 4-July-2025

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