Teacher dies in Sunshine Coast house fire

A teacher who died in a house fire on the Sunshine Coast has been remembered as a dedicated and generous educator.

Coolum State School teacher Kylie Allen, 44, died in hospital after suffering serious injuries in a house fire on Sunday night.

A neighbour forced his way into the burning Coolum Beach house and dragged the woman out, police say.

Coolum State School principal Pat Cavanagh described Ms Allen, a learning support teacher for the past nine years, as selfless.

"Kylie was professional in all she did, generous in her time and sharing of knowledge, helpful to all her colleagues and above all dedicated to improving the learning opportunities of her students," Mr Cavanagh said in a statement to AAP.

"Kylie's work ethic and effort she put into her students was outstanding.

"This is a terrible tragedy for the Allen family, Coolum State School and the Coolum community.

"We are deeply saddened by the event. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the family and friends."

Ms Allen was pulled from her burning house by neighbour Alan Lawry.

Mr Lawry told the Sunshine Coast Daily he was watching a movie with his wife when he smelled smoke just after 10.30pm.

He entered the house through a rear door and found Ms Allen only "a metre or metre-and-a-half" from the entrance.

After taking Ms Allen outside, Mr Lawry returned to try and find her husband and son, but police have confirmed they were not home at the time.