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Common household item could have sparked Brisbane fire that killed boy

A potential electrical fault with a battery charger is reportedly the focus of investigations after a young boy was killed in a house fire in Brisbane.

Max Chirila, 6, died when a fire ripped through his family's Clayfield home in the early hours of Monday morning.

His parents and younger brother managed to escape the blaze however firefighters later discovered Max's body inside the home about an hour after they were called to the address.

While investigations into what caused the fire continue, The Courier Mail reported a possible electrical fault related to charging batteries is being looked into.

Max Chirila died in the house fire on Monday morning. Source: Facebook
Max Chirila died in the house fire on Monday morning. Source: Facebook

Witnesses and neighbours have described the horrifying incident, hearing screams from Max's parents shortly after the fire broke out.

"It was an awful thing to witness and us as a community are just in shock," one woman, who knew the family, told Nine News.

“We’re devastated. It’s a heartbreaking experience for everybody involved.”

Video of the fire from a nearby residence. Source: Nine
Video of the fire from a nearby residence. Source: Nine

While the fire appeared to begin in the rear of the home, it quickly engulfed the property, causing a partial roof collapse.

Crews at the scene told the ABC the fire took off when the windows failed, bringing in air and causing the fire to "enrage quite quickly".

Tributes pour in for young boy

Vision of the house on Tuesday showed the large sections of the timber home charred. Flowers and tributes have been left outside the property.

Part of the home's roof collapsed in the intense fire. Source: Nine/ Today
Part of the home's roof collapsed in the intense fire. Source: Nine/ Today

One tribute reads: 'Sleep well in heaven Max.'

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to assist them where possible during their "unimaginable tragedy". The page has raised more than $30,000 in less than 24 hours.

The boy's parents revisited their home on Tuesday morning and were visibly emotional, the Courier Mail reported. The boy's grandfather wept as he spoke with media outside the property.

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