Murrumba Downs house explosion: human remains found at scene ...

13 Jul 2023

Police have found human remains while searching the site of a home that was destroyed in a fireball north of Brisbane.

Investigators believe the explosion occurred just after 1pm on Wednesday.

Emergency crews were met by towering plumes of dark smoke in the quiet gated community at Murrumba Downs, which was littered with debris.

Police evacuated neighbouring properties and closed surrounding streets while fire crews spent two hours working to extinguish the blaze.

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Queensland police said human remains were found at the property on Thursday.

“Investigations into the cause of the fire remain ongoing and forensic testing will be conducted to positively identify the deceased,” police said in a statement.

Investigators said it was fortunate no other injuries were reported after the “substantial explosion”.

Acting Det Insp Stephen Windsor said there were no concerns for community safety.

“We don’t believe that there’s anyone else involved in this matter,” he told reporters on Thursday.

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“We don’t hold any other concerns and we are currently not looking for a suspect.”

Windsor said it was clear the owner of the property had faced challenges.

“The information I’ve been provided is that the male person has had some challenges and some current pressures in life,” he said.

Police have set up a crime scene and forensic teams are combing through the rubble.

“Scientific police who have trained in this area are slowly processing things, making sure that they can make sure that any evidence is located,” Windsor said.

“They will do a thorough and complete search. I don’t have any timeframe in terms of how long that will go for.”

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