Police Investigate Possible Arson In Mystery House Blaze

A crime scene was declared after a fire tore through a house on River Street in Mackay, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
The blaze, which occurred on Tuesday night, August 6th, around 7:18 pm, led to the establishment of a 100-metre exclusion zone, which was lifted shortly after. A woman was transported to Mackay Base Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and police are now investigating whether an accelerant was used to fuel the fire.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton said, "We believe the premises was unoccupied so that gives rise to the possibility that it was deliberately lit, but there are a number of other reasons why houses catch fire."
Fire investigators and police scientific officers were on the scene following the blaze, but Sergeant Eaton noted that the results of the investigation could take some time.
The woman taken to the hospital on the evening of the fire, who sustained superficial burns, has become a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
"She was seen at the scene of the fire and that person is now a person of interest in our investigation," Detective Eaton added.
Police are urging anyone with information or witnesses to contact them as the investigation continues.

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The charred remains of the River Street house, taken the day after the fire, as police continue their investigation into the cause. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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