IN THE MARKET? – CLICK BELOW FOR OPEN HOMES THIS SATURDAY
A house in Margate has been destroyed by a major fire on New Year’s Eve, with police declaring the scene a crime site as investigators work to determine the cause.
Emergency services were called to a single-storey home on Duffield Road about 9:30 p.m. on 31 December after reports of smoke and flames coming from beneath the property. A grandfather and his 11-year-old grandson were inside the home at the time and escaped after the man noticed smoke seeping through the floorboards.
Queensland Fire Department crews arrived within 20 minutes, but the house was already fully engulfed. Eight fire crews, including specialist units, were required to bring the blaze under control by about 10:30 p.m. Parts of the structure collapsed during the fire.
Two dogs and several hand-raised parrots owned by the tenants died in the blaze.
The property, which was being rented, was uninsured. The landlord, builder Mark McLaren, told the media he could only watch as the house burned. He said the dwelling was not insured because financial institutions considered it too old. Mr McLaren, who is recovering from a recent heart attack, was injured while attempting to save items from the fire. His work vehicle was removed from the property but sustained heat damage.
Initial speculation on social media suggested the fire may have been caused by an electric scooter, the tenant ruled this out, saying no such devices were on the premises. He believes the fire may have started near a hot water system located underneath the house, though authorities have not confirmed the cause.
Police have declared the site a crime scene, a standard procedure to preserve evidence while investigators determine the origin of the fire. Fire investigators and police remained at the property the following morning.
The site has also been declared hazardous due to asbestos in the roof.
Community members and neighbours assisted the displaced occupants on the night, providing water, blankets and food.
Published 31-Dec-2025
CLICK ANY LOGO TO SEE PUBLICATION
