An island community is in mourning and searching for answers after a horrific blaze killed a father and five young boys in a tragedy police say requires closer scrutiny.
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Investigators have begun removing bodies from the charred remains of a house on Russell Island near Brisbane after 34-year-old Wayne Godinet and the boys perished in the fire that ripped through the property early on Sunday.
The children's mother Samantha Stephenson, 28, survived the inferno, escaping the two-storey home as it was engulfed in flames about 6am.
Witnesses reported seeing Mr Godinet running back into the burning building to try to save the boys and his partner screaming for help, telling first responders her family was trapped inside.
The blaze spread to two other properties that were saved by firefighters and several neighbours were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns.
The deadly fire has left the small Moreton Bay community in shock and looking for answers as it pays tribute to the children aged 11, 10, twin four-year-olds and a three-year-old.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said some elements of the tragedy required closer scrutiny and investigators were "keeping an open mind" over the cause.
"No determination has been made at this stage as to whether this fire is suspicious or not," he said on Monday.
Det Supt Massingham said officers had previously been called to the house and Mr Godinet was known to police.
They were investigating whether he was allowed to be at the house and previous calls to the address were under review, he said.
Police said a 21-year-old woman also escaped the blaze.
Emergency crews found her and Ms Stephenson outside suffering smoke inhalation.
They were released from hospital on Sunday night and police hoped to speak to them again on Monday, Det Supt Massingham said.
Investigators found the bodies of Mr Godinet and the boys inside the burnt-out home late on Sunday and by Monday afternoon at least one body had been removed.
Locals have paid their respects by placing flowers, candles and stuffed toys nearby and at the entrance to the island's state school.
One neighbour who asked not to be identified said he was asleep when another resident banged on his door telling him to call the fire brigade.
"That was the first I knew of it, I came outside and the place was ablaze," he told AAP.
The fire engulfed the home in minutes, with flames leaping as high as the trees.
"It went up really quick. Iv'e never seen anything burn that quick," the man said.
The resident said he saw the boys' distraught mother collapse on the ground.
"She was screaming and yelling. She was devastated but there was nothing that anyone could do."
Taxi driver Angela Dowson said everyone in the small, close-knit community wanted answers.
"We just want to know how something like this could happen," she said.
"The whole island is shell-shocked."
A day after Premier Annastacia Palazczuk offered her condolences, LNP leader David Crisafulli visited to pay his respects.
Redland City mayor Karen Williams said the Moreton Bay islands were in mourning but had a strong sense of community.
"This sort of grief will resonate right across not just this island but all our southern Moreton Bay islands and our city," she told ABC Radio.
The Bay Islands Memorial Gardens and Sel Outridge Park on the mainland are open for people to pay tribute.
Local authorities have set up a fundraising account through the local registered charitable trust, The Redland Foundation.
Australian Associated Press
