A woman is dead, a man is fighting for his life, and three young children are in hospital after a shocking fire in Brisbane’s south that police are investigating as a suspected domestic violence incident.
Queensland Police said a 31-year-old woman – believed to be the man’s ex-partner – died after allegedly starting the early-morning blaze at the New Beith home near Logan.
While the investigation is in its early stages, police allege the deceased woman gained entry to the home and doused the man in a flammable substance before lighting him on fire.
The 33-year-old man, identified as Stanley Obi, is said to have suffered severe burns to 90 per cent of his body and is fighting for his life in Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
A 30-yxjmtzywear-old woman, understood to be Mr Obi’s new partner, was being treated for suspected airway burns, while police said three children aged 5, 3, and 2 also managed to escape the blaze and have been taken to hospital for observation.
Police are waiting to speak with Mr Obi’s new partner, while the children are expected to be interviewed by the Child Protection and Investigation Unit.
The unstable nature of the charred home is hindering the investigation of the crime scene.
According to his Linkedin profile, Mr Obi is a registered nurse and has worked as a care manager at retirement home operator Aveo for the past two years.
He had been living at the New Beith home for about six months.
Superintendent Mark White confirmed police had previous contact with Mr Obi and his ex-partner in relation to domestic violence incidents – including cross-applications – though this had been outside the Logan area.
The Superintendent also said he understood proceedings had been underway between Mr Obi and his ex-partner relating to the custody of the children.
“Police have had contact with the male victim and ex-partner in relation to domestic violence incidents and that will form part of our investigations,” Superintendent White said.
“We do believe there were proceedings that had been progressing around the custody of the children.
“There wasn’t specific concerns around specific threats. There were, in one instance, some cross applications … and they were made privately.”
While the woman alleged to have started the fire has not been formally identified, police suggested they were aware of who she was.
A coronial investigation will be conducted into the incident.
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