Ten People Escape Overnight House Fire in Inala

Ten people, including young children, were forced to evacuate a share house in Inala after a fire tore through the property overnight.

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 Emergency Response and Evacuation

Emergency services were called to a residential fire on Rosemary Street, Inala, shortly after midnight on 24 June. Fire crews arrived to find the house already approximately 80 per cent engulfed in flames. The home was shared by 11 people, though only 10 were present at the time of the incident. All occupants were assessed by Queensland Ambulance Service and found to be in stable condition, with no hospital transfers required.

Lack of Smoke Alarms Investigated

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) confirmed there were no working smoke alarms in the property. Fire investigators are examining whether any alarms were installed and why they failed to activate. 

Authorities expressed concern given that Queensland law requires smoke alarms in all residences, with updated rules effective from January 1, 2022, mandating interconnected, photoelectric alarms in bedrooms, hallways, and on each level of rental properties.

Rapid Spread and Structural Hazards

Firefighters faced dangerous conditions and were forced to battle the blaze from outside due to the structural instability of the building. Crews reported that the roof was collapsing, making internal operations unsafe.

Residents Alerted One Another

A resident who first noticed the fire in the kitchen began alerting others by knocking on doors and yelling out. Although some residents were unrelated, they were all successfully evacuated through these warnings.

Impact on Families

Among the residents was Mona Liza Aokuso, who lived in the home with her partner and three children aged 7, 8 and 9. The fire occurred a day before her son’s birthday. The family lost all belongings and has been left without a home.

Compliance and Investigation Underway

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QFES is investigating the history of the property and whether the arrangement constituted budget accommodation. If the residence is found to have breached fire safety or housing regulations, further action may be taken by the department’s compliance and legal teams.

Published 26-June-2025