VEIL DRAWN OVER CAUSE OF BLAZE
WHAT sparked the blaze that gutted a Cranbrook home is unlikely to be revealed, after police deemed the fire a mental health incident.
A two- storey home in Selwyn St went up in flames just after 8am yesterday, spreading from the ground floor up.
Firefighters described seeing flames soaring 2m high.
QFES Kirwan Acting Station Officer Jason Pearce said it took about 30 minutes to get the blaze under control. It is understood no one was home at the time.
One distraught man who claimed to live at the address screamed at news crews filming the incident.
A dozen firefighters, multiple police crews and paramedics were at the scene.
Western Patrol Group’s Acting Inspector Stephen Batterham said the damage was “pretty extensive” and said the home’s occupants were known to police.
Preliminary police inquiries revealed mental health issues may have been involved in the fire, with detectives taking over the case.
Further details about the fire, including how it began, or if any charges are laid will likely not be divulged due to protections under the Mental Health Act.
One of the fire crews at the scene then had to be diverted about 9.30am after another house fire broke out in Burdell. The back patio of the Tasman Cct home caught fire but was extinguished before it spread to the rest of the house.
Acting Station Officer Pearce said this was a timely reminder for Townsville residents to ensure their smoke alarms were functioning properly.