LATEST @ 12.50 PM by Shanee Dobeson | POLICE are still working to determine the motive and cause of a suspicious fire inside a home on the northern Gold Coast that’s left one man dead.
Emergency crews were called to a two-storey townhouse on Leichardt Street in Coomera just before 11.00pm on Wednesday after neighbours reported seeing smoke issuing from the property.
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Procter said officers arrived to a “confronting” scene, locating the badly burned body of a 21-year-old man in the living room area.
“Burns are horrific for everyone involved, they’re not pretty and he was very severely burned,” Detective Acting Insp Procter said.
A second man, who police say lived at the townhouse, allegedly fled the property following the incident in a blue Holden Commodore ute.
“The 39-year-old attended a work colleague’s house seeking medical treatment after suffering burns to his hands,” Detective Acting Insp Procter said.
He remains under police guard in hospital receiving treatment.
“At this stage of the investigation, no one has been charged,” Detective Acting Insp Procter said.
“We have a male person assisting with inquiries and being treated for significant burns to his body”.
PHOTO: Detective Acting Inspector Mark Procter | myGC
Investigators are still working to determine the relationship between the pair.
“We believe they are well known to each other, but we are still investigating what that actually entails as to what their relationship is,” Detective Acting Insp Procter said.
When asked if they were a couple, Inspector Proctor revealed “they are certainly good friends who have been seen in places together which could suggest that” but admitted it was too early to know at this stage.
He said the victim’s obvious cause of death appeared to be “smoke inhalation and burns”, but confirmed the fatality would be subject to a post mortem.
According to detectives, there has been no history of violence between the pair, and neither was known to police, with investigators also ruling out any bikie links or drugs.
Police are now appealing for anyone who noticed a blue Holden Commodore utility acting suspiciously or driving erratically overnight to come forward as investigations continue.
PHOTO: Queensland Police
PHOTO: Queensland Police
EARLIER @ 5.30 AM by Rebecca Dakin | A major investigation is underway after a man was found dead inside a Coomera home.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency spokesperson said eight crews were initially called to the property on Leichardt Street around 11pm on Wednesday following reports of a smoke alarm going off.
Residents had also reported smelling fumes coming from the property.
Once crews had the incident contained, the body of the man was found inside the residence.
Queensland Police have confirmed they are awaiting results of an autopsy to determine cause of death and confirm the man’s identity.
A 38-year-old man is also assisting police with their enquiries.
“He had been located at a Redland Bay address a short time after the Coomera incident and was transported to hospital for treatment,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
A crime scene has been established while inquiries are made into the circumstances of the man’s death.
