Woman dies in north Queensland hospital after Ayr house fire as crime scene established

A woman has died and a man is fighting for life after a house fire in Queensland’s north.

The couple suffered severe burns in the blaze, which gutted their home in the rural town of Ayr early Tuesday.

The 47-year-old woman and 65-year-old man were flown to hospital in critical conditions. Police later confirmed the woman had died.

Police have declared a crime scene at the property as they investigate the cause of the fire.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Lawson said police officers and paramedics had attended the property only hours before the blaze in response to welfare concerns.

“Police received a call in relation to some comments that were made at the residence so they went and attended and spoke to both residents that were there at the time,” he said.

Neighbors raised the alarm about three hours later just after 5:30am when they spotted flames coming from the house.

A man in his 20s who tried to help was taken to hospital in a stable condition suffering from smoke inhalation.

Couple known to police

Acting Chief Superintendent Lawson said a crime scene had been established and investigations were underway.

“We haven’t established the actual cause of the fire at this point, so until we can actually sign up exactly what’s occurred, then we’re not going to speculate as to how the fire started,” he said.

He said the man and woman were in a relationship.

Queensland Ambulance Service Assistant Commissioner Matthew Green said it was a confronting incident for first responders.

“[It’s] a fairly tragic situation as far as I’m concerned and at the moment we’re just looking after the welfare of our staff that have had to attend that event,” he said.