HOSES IN VAIN AS HOME GOES UP IN FLAMES
A NORTHERN Gold Coast house fire sent panicked neighbours running for their garden hoses yesterday as a home, garage and car went up in smoke.
Emergency services were called about 7.30am to Brampton Court, Pimpama, where fire had engulfed a brick house and the roof had collapsed by the time they arrived.
A male resident had managed to escape the burning house with his dog, but neighbours later reported that pet snakes and a bird did not survive.
A Queensland Fire Emergency Services spokesman said the initial triple-0 call reported a car on fire in a garage. The tightknit neighbourhood went into emergency mode as residents evacuated their neighbouring properties and used gardening hoses to spray water on the blaze.
Neighbour Jessica Lindsay, who was getting ready for school when the fire started, said her heart dropped when she saw the inferno.
“It’s so scary,” she said. “I was worried our house would burn down too.”
Her mum, Susie Abrahams, said a neighbour had shouted warnings, telling the family to evacuate.
“He was banging on the door saying there’s a fire,” she said.
“The garage on fire was right next to our house. We were really worried.”
Colin Harris said he was getting ready for work when his dog Charlie began to bark at the smoke, grabbing his attention. Another neighbour, Ryan Stewart, said he grabbed a hose from his yard and began to spray the burning car.
“I attempted to water the bonnet of the car,” Mr Stewart said.
“This is the first time I have ever seen a house fire.”
Beenleigh acting station officer Justin Broadbent said the cause of the fire was under investigation.