About 9pm on Saturday, three Turvey Park Fire and Rescue units responded to calls of a house fire on Cobb Street in Tolland, where three occupants had self-evacuated.

Smoke and flames could be spotted by crews from Bourke Street as they headed towards the property which was well ablaze upon arrival.

Firefighters' first priority was to protect a secondary house, with the intensity of heat radiating off the ongoing fire causing concern of a domino effect.

Responders attempted to enter the main property while ablaze from the front and rear but were unsuccessful as the verandas on both sides of the house were too unstable by that time.

Neighbouring properties acquired no damage during the three to four-hour-long operation but the house where the fire ignited could not be saved nor the occupant's possessions.

Turvey Park Fire and Rescue stated that four hours is a long time to respond to a house fire but the operation was complicated by the ferocity of the flames.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown due to the extent of the damage. The homeowner has since found emergency accommodation thanks to friends of the family.

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