The investigation into a house fire on Russell Island, which claimed the lives of a father and his five sons on Sunday, is expected to take days as authorities continue to sift through the wreckage of the home.
Police remain on the scene today and have cordoned off Todman Street where three homes were engulfed in flames just after 6.20am.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said this morning that police were keeping an open mind about the cause of the fire.
“The establishment of the investigation centre is because there are some elements of this incident yesterday that do require closer scrutiny. No determination has been made at this stage as to whether this fire is suspicious or not.
“It's important that I tell you that we're keeping an open mind with respect to this matter. As I say, no determination has been made. But there are some aspects of it that require further investigation.”
Detective Superintendent Massingham said the police investigation would attempt to identify the exact point of ignition of the fire.
"Today we're hopeful of removing the bodies of the six people who tragically perished in this fire yesterday.
"A crime scene has been declared at Todman Street and fire investigators and scene of crime staff are there. Our disaster victim identification squad has been called in to assist in that process."
Yesterday, police said they believed they had found the bodies of five young boys and their 34-year-old father, Wayne Godinet, in the charred rubble of their home.
The mother of the boys, Samantha Stephenson, was in the house when the fire broke out but managed to escape.
She was found by firefighters in a distraught state outside the property and taken to hospital late yesterday, but has since been discharged.
The boys — who have not been named — were aged 11, 10, twins aged four and their three-year-old brother.
Scene guarded overnight
Detective Superintendent Massingham said post-mortem examinations would take place to confirm the identities of the bodies.
He said the scene had to be guarded overnight.
“It is our priority this morning, and our staff are very mindful that we need to take our investigation meticulously, but we need to get [the bodies out] as soon as we can,” he said.
He said police would interview Ms Stephenson and another woman who escaped the blaze again today.
He said a task force of 25 people had been set up to investigate the fire.
Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams said it was difficult to fathom the extent of the tragedy.
"Sites for tributes will be set up at the Bay Island Memorial Gardens, High Street, Russell Island and at the Sel Outridge Park, Peel Street, Redland Bay," she said.
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2023-08-06 21:35:49Z
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