Police find human remains, gas bottles after Murrumba Downs ...

Police have found human remains and five gas bottles in a townhouse destroyed by fire north of Brisbane on Wednesday.

Murrumba Downs residents reported hearing an explosion that afternoon, shortly before the Nambucca Close home burned to the ground. 

Acting Detective Inspector Stephen Windsor said human remains had been found in the home's garage, near a gas bottle. 

He said further forensic investigations would take several more hours. 

Acting Detective Inspector Windsor said the home was occupied by a single male owner in his 60s. 

"My information I have been provided is that the male person has had some challenges and current pressures in life, and he has made some comments about that," he said.

A further four 9 kilogram gas bottles were found "close together" in the living room.

"Scientific police who are trained in this area are slowly processing things making sure any evidence is located."

Acting Detective Inspector Windsor said police had not attended the home before. 

"It's very fortunate that no one was in the near vicinity when this did go on," he said.

Neighbour Yash Amin said he had just finished work when he and his partner heard an explosion. 

"We thought it was an earthquake, so we came out running.

"The whole house was lit up, everyone from the adjoining houses were out crying," he said.

"I would explain it like a war zone. It was just crazy, debris everywhere, houses were on fire."

Triple-0 was called about 1pm Wednesday about the explosion and plumes of dark smoke. 

The two-story unit burnt to the ground within an hour, with up to 35 firefighters working to extinguish the blaze.

Neighbours reported the explosion could be heard 5 kilometres away.