Fire destroys house in cyclone zone

Fire has destroyed a two-storey house in the north Queensland town of Sarina, just south of Mackay, where locals are waiting for Cyclone Debbie to hit.

Fire fighters had to endure very difficult weather conditions to fight the fire, which caused the home's roof to collapse. There are no reports of injuries but officers have not yet been able to search the house.

The cause of the fire is not known, the fire service said, and officers remain at the scene as category four Cyclone Debbie approaches the north Queensland coast.