New details have emerged about a devastating house fire in Brisbane’s north that destroyed three homes and prompted a major emergency response, with the victims revealed to be a family already marked by tragedy.
One of the homes destroyed in the Clontarf blaze belonged to the parents of Angus Beaumont, a teenager who was murdered in 2021. Police allege the fire was deliberately lit during a domestic violence incident, and the accused is a member of the family.
Angus Beaumont, aged 15, was fatally stabbed by a group of teenagers in a Redcliffe car park six years ago, a loss that deeply affected the family and local community.
On Thursday, the family’s home was engulfed in flames in what police describe as an alleged domestic violence-related arson attack. The fire quickly spread to two neighbouring properties, leaving all three homes destroyed.
Family member Mandy Beaumont said the family had “lost everything” and described the latest ordeal as overwhelming. A fundraising appeal stated the fire was allegedly started while family members were still inside the house.
Police allege Corey Wardle, Angus Beaumont’s half-brother and the owner of a local yard maintenance business, used jerry cans filled with accelerant to set the home alight.
Authorities say occupants made multiple Triple Zero calls in the hours leading up to the incident before fleeing the property as the fire intensified.
The alleged offender was later arrested after being tracked down by the police dog squad.
Wardle is scheduled to appear in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court, where he will face one count of domestic violence arson and three counts of domestic violence attempted murder.
The investigation remains ongoing.