Landue, Shone; Reid, Gary; Doolan, Stanley
Deceased
Shone Landue, Gary Reid, Stanley Doolan
Demographics
male
Date of death
2002-08-18
Finding date
2005-02-09
Cause of death
smoke inhalation (Landue and Doolan); smoke inhalation and effects of burning (Reid)
AI-generated summary
Three residents died in a boarding house fire at Sandgate, Queensland in August 2002. The fire started beneath the elevated timber building where a large quantity of flammable materials (mattresses, paint tins, timber, tools) was stored. The cause remains undetermined but may have involved electrical or gas sources. Early warning systems were inadequate: battery-operated smoke detectors frequently had missing batteries, and there was no hardwired system. While the fire response was exceptionally rapid, water supply constraints limited firefighting effectiveness. The coroner found the co-regulatory approach between council and fire authorities was insufficiently rigorous; authorities could have mandated faster safety improvements, shorter compliance timeframes, and coordinated inspections. Lessons include the critical importance of early warning systems, adequate water infrastructure for fire-prone areas, stronger enforcement of safety standards in budget accommodation, and better liaison between regulatory bodies.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- large fuel load stored beneath building
- absence of hardwired smoke detection system
- battery-operated smoke detectors with missing or removed batteries
- inadequate water pressure and supply for firefighting
- aged timber construction with poor fire resistance
- lack of effective fire safety management plan
- insufficient regulatory enforcement of safety standards
- poor coordination between council and fire service inspections
- transient population prone to smoking in rooms
- electrical maintenance issues
- possible gas supply malfunction at point of origin
Coroner's recommendations
- Brisbane City Council review water management practices for replacement of water mains to deliver sufficient volume for firefighting
- Brisbane City Council review systems of monitoring premises to ensure safety compliance within stipulated timeframes with effective follow-up
- Queensland Fire Service and Brisbane City Council conduct formal liaison procedures to maximize effectiveness and clarify responsibilities
- Queensland Advocacy Incorporated be involved in co-regulatory approaches between government, fire service, and boarding house operators
- Local councils and Fire Service review discretionary enforcement of safety and fire standards
- Review legislation to include dwellings with six or fewer residents under boarding house licensing provisions
- Investigate implementation of automatic cut-off systems for gas lines in event of fire and metal enclosures for meters
- Review legislation to empower authorities to conduct spot audits of multiple dwellings for safety issues
- Review legislation to elevate fire safety above competing interests of privacy in multiple occupancy dwellings
- Review fire protection specifically for underflooring of Queenslander-style buildings
- Improve communication methods for firefighters at scenes to access information about water supply and fire-fighting resources
- Consider commendations for bravery for witnesses and emergency service personnel
- Electrical and fire safety review of premises at 39 Northy Street Windsor due to evidence of unlicensed electrical work
- All levels of government and fire authorities ensure efficacy of hardwired smoke detection systems as most significant preventative measure
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