Three children dead after suspicious house fire in Toowoomba, mother in hospital under police guardSBy Shari HamsTopic:Fires5h ago5 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 9:14pmLoading...abc.net.au/news/two-children-dead-toowoomba-house-fire-harristown/105266758Link copiedShareShare articleTwo more children have died after a suspicious house fire in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, with the mother under police guard in hospital with critical injuries. Emergency services were called to Merritt Street in Harristown about 12:30am on Wednesday, where they found the house engulfed in flames.Loading...Seven people were in the home at the time, with six initially managing to escape the blaze.A body believed to be of a nine-year-old boy was discovered in the house.His mother, a 36-year-old woman and her two daughters, aged four and seven, were taken to hospital with critical injuries.The two girls later died in hospital. Family and domestic violence support services:If you need help immediately call emergency services on triple-01800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732Women's Crisis Line: 1800 811 811Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491Lifeline: 131 114"On behalf of the Queensland Police Service I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends and all those involved in this tragic event," Detective Superintendent George Marchesini said.A 34-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and 11-year-old boy have since all been released from hospital.The woman remains in a critical condition at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital under police guard.Emergency crews were called to the fire on Merritt Street in Harristown about 12:30am on Wednesday. (ABC News: Will Murray)"We have been unable to speak with the woman at this stage, that is something our investigators are working on with the hospital to arrange but that will happen depending on her condition," he said."We are treating this matter as suspicious."Detective Superintendent Marchesini said the 18 and 34 year-old men assisted with getting the children from the premises."I believe the 36-year-old woman had escaped that house as well and was located towards the front of the premises," he said.A crime scene was declared after the fire on Wednesday. (ABC News: Will Murray)He said detectives from Darling Downs, members of the homicide unit and specialist teams were assisting."As part of our investigation we will be looking at any interaction or communication from the family with police prior to this incident," he said.It took four crews about half an hour to extinguish the fire. (ABC News: Will Murray)Detective Superintendent Marchesini praised the work of the first responders who were "confronted with a horrific scene"."It was a scene that no one should have to see, and while we are first responders and trained to deal with these sorts of incidents I want to assure you that we are not immune to feeling the impact that it's had on all those affected," he said.Two adults and four children managed to escape the house. (ABC News: Will Murray)Premier David Crisafulli said the incident was "difficult" and "devastating"."We've got officers on the ground providing immediate support to the neighbours," he said.Live MomentLook back at how ABC readers and other Australians responded to this live
moment.1h agoThu 8 May 2025 at 12:46amPolice working with hospital to speak with womanDetective Superintendent George Marchesini says police are still in the early stages of the investigation and "don't have all the answers at this stage"."We have been unable to speak with the woman at this stage, that is something our investigators are working on with the hospital to arrange but that will happen depending on her condition," he says.He says part of the investigation is speaking with all people, including the 36-year-old woman.That is all from the press conference.Copy link1h agoThu 8 May 2025 at 12:41amPolice treating fire as 'suspicious'A 36-year-old woman remains in a critical condition in hospital and continues to be under police guard. A 34-year-old man, 11-year-old boy and 18-year-old boy have been released from hospital. "We are treating this matter as suspicious,” Detective Superintendent George Marchesini says.He says detectives from Darling Downs, members of the homicide investigation unit and specialist teams are assisting. “As part of our investigation we will be looking at any interaction or communication from the family with police prior to this incident,” he says. “We are again appealing for anyone with information or vision to come forward.”Copy link1h agoThu 8 May 2025 at 12:35amPolice confirm two children died overnight in hospitalDetective Superintendent George Marchesini has confirmed two girls, aged 4 and 7, have died in hospital."On behalf of the Queensland Police Service I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends and all those involved in this tragic event," he says."Toowoomba is a tight-knit community and this tragedy will no doubt have a considerable impact."Copy linkShow morePosted 5h ago5 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 9:14pm, updated 1h ago1 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:32amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top Stories'He was that toxic': 600 unused posters tell the story of Dutton's failed campaignTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Backlit photo of a Dutton press conference, his silhouette centred in front of a microphoneAustralia's best sports rights in the hands of a Soviet-born, former oil tycoonTopic:Media IndustryAlbanese to speak with King Charles, Labor factions hash out next ministryLIVEPhoto shows Albanese, at a press conference, raises his hands while speaking.Doctor told Erin Patterson she might need liver transplant, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirt'Offensive': PM unleashes on ousted Greens MPTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows A composite image of two men wearing suits sitting in the House of Representatives.Related storiesChild's body found, three critically injured after Toowoomba house fireTopic:House FiresPhoto shows House fire HarristownRelated topicsArsonCrimeFiresHarristownToowoombaTop Stories'He was that toxic': 600 unused posters tell the story of Dutton's failed campaignTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Backlit photo of a Dutton press conference, his silhouette centred in front of a microphoneAustralia's best sports rights in the hands of a Soviet-born, former oil tycoonTopic:Media IndustryAlbanese to speak with King Charles, Labor factions hash out next ministryTopic:Government and PoliticsDoctor told Erin Patterson she might need liver transplant, court hearsTopic:Law, Crime and Justice'Offensive': PM unleashes on ousted Greens MPTopic:Government and PoliticsJust InWoman with more than 1,000 minions in home wins Guinness World RecordTopic:Human Interest11m ago11 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 2:22amANZ profit rises as NAB boss tips rate cuts and housing boomTopic:Banking19m ago19 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 2:15amNepotism, financial misconduct claims rock Aboriginal land councilTopic:Local Government5m ago5 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 2:29amGrazier recovering from grain silo collapse running for his rescuersTopic:Emergency Services42m ago42 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 1:51amMore Just InBack to top