Following the deaths of five boys and their father in a Queensland house fire last year, a lady has been accused.
Wayne Godinet and his five children—Zac, 11, Harry, 10, Kyza and Koah, the twins, age four, and Nicky, age three—perished on August 6 when their Russell Island home caught fire.
Samantha Stephenson, 28, the mother of the children, managed to escape the fire but needed medical attention.
A notice to appear in court on “one count of owners must install smoke alarms” was served to a 61-year-old Tweed Heads resident today.
The woman is the property’s owner, according to the police, although she wasn’t there when the fire started.
According to authorities, it will also be claimed that the home lacked compliant smoke alarms.
Following the horrific fire that occurred in the little town of 3500 last year, the residents were shocked and placed notes on hearts at Russell Island State School and Kindergarten, where the older kids attended.
“I (have) seen them everyday for years – the kids singing songs on the way to school,” a neighbour stated.
“My buddies took care of them. We were all quite fond of them.”
According to Queensland law, landlords are required to install functional smoke alarms in residential rental buildings.
“Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago, as well as any smoke alarms that do not operate when tested, must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms that comply with Australian Standard 3786–2014,” according to the QFES.
The lessor/landlord of a domestic dwelling is required to test and clean every smoke alarm within 30 days prior to the commencement of a tenancy.
“During a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the tenant must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling, at least once every 12 months.”
The maximum punishment for not doing so is a $774 fine.
On March 26, the 61-year-old woman is scheduled to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court.
A final report is anticipated to be given to the coroner soon, and detectives are still looking into the fire.
