Investigators believe battery charger sparked house fire that killed six-year-old boy
Police investigating a Brisbane house fire that killed a six-year-old boy in his bedroom this week believe a busted battery charger is to blame.
Investigators initially suspected the fire that killed Max Chirila in his Clayfield home was caused by an electrical fault but further analysis revealed a malfunctioning battery sparked the blaze.
The charger was located on the ground floor beneath the boy's bedroom.
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Max Chirila pictured with his mother Karen. Supplied
The house was already engulfed in flame when firefighters arrived about 4am on Sunday.
The young boy's mother, father and younger brother escaped the house but were unable to reach the six-year-old at the back of the property due to the severity of the fire.
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A wall of flame rose over the Brisbane suburb after a housefire broke out. 9News
It's believed the fire started at the rear of the Clayfield home, near the boy's bedroom. Today
Investigators believe the house had working fire alarms.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services' Mark Halverson said interconnected fire alarms remain the best way to protect individuals and families from fires.
"Interconnected smoke alarms that will sound in the bedrooms even if the fire has started elsewhere provide that early warning so they are a vital safety feature for all occupants of dwellings," he said.
Flowers are being left outside the house where Max Chirila lost his life. 9News
Heartbreaking tributes for the young boy, who was about to turn seven in two weeks, have been left outside the burnt-out home.
A message left alongside a school hat from the boy's school read "sleep well in heaven".
A community fundraiser for the family had nearly reached $50,000 on Wednesday night.
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