A 47-year-old man has died and a young woman remains in a critical condition following a devastating fire that tore through a Water Street unit complex in Spring Hill during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene around 3am on 16 December after reports the unit was fully engulfed in flames. The blaze broke out on the top floor of the complex, sending thick black smoke billowing across the neighbourhood near the Brisbane CBD.
The 47-year-old West End man was rushed to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with serious burns but later succumbed to his injuries. A 19-year-old Spring Hill woman also transported to the same hospital with severe facial burns continues to fight for her life in critical condition.
A third victim, a 55-year-old Spring Hill man, was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital with burns to his legs. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Residents in the area described a chaotic and frightening scene as the fire took hold. Shelley Starling, who lives nearby, told media she was woken by the sound of breaking glass and rushed outside to help.
The flames reached high into the night sky, whilst heart-wrenching screams pierced the darkness as people tried to escape the inferno. Ms Starling attempted to use a hose to fight the blaze through the back of the property, but the connection failed.
Another witness, Renee TenDyke, heard desperate shouts of “get out, get out” as residents banged on doors trying to alert others before firefighters arrived. She described seeing small explosions and flames bursting from the roof, with black smoke so intense she had to seal her windows and doors.
Zainal Ali, a resident who was sleeping inside the unit when the fire started, sprang into action after waking to the sound of smashing glass. He saw flames engulfing the hallway and windows exploding from the heat.
Mr Ali ran to a payphone to call emergency services. When he returned, neighbours had already begun helping the injured young woman, placing her in a shower to treat her burns.
Water Street remained closed between Roger Street and Boundary Street on Tuesday whilst investigators worked to determine the cause of the blaze. Four fire trucks and at least two ambulances attended the incident.
Queensland Police confirmed they are treating the fire as non-suspicious and believe there are no outstanding persons in relation to the matter.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Policelink at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or phone 131 444, quoting reference number QP2502300359. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Published 16-December-2025
