A teenager who was one of two people killed in a ‘mystery’ house fire has been identified as a car lover who was ready to ‘help anyone’.
Benjamin Stonehouse, 18, suffered critical burns after a fire broke out at the home on Chandler Street in Garbutt, near Townsville, Queensland, at around 3pm on Friday.
Ben and another 18-year-old were rushed to Townsville University Hospital, but the other teenager died a short time later.
Ben then was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital before he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning.
Two other men, who were inside the property when the home became engulfed in flames, were not injured.
Queensland Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze.
The four men were tenants of the double-storey home, which was owned by Ben’s mother Christie Stonehouse.
Ms Stonehouse said she will still waiting to learn how the fire had been started and remembered her son as a caring and generous young man.
‘He was always there to help everyone,’ she told the Courier Mail.
She said the smoke alarms in the home had recently been upgraded.
Ben leaves behind his mum and his girlfriend Shelby.
‘(Shelby’s) not coping well, he absolutely adored her,’ Ms Stonehouse said.
Ben was learning how to become a plasterer and recently completed his painting and panel beating apprenticeships.
Ms Stonehouse said Ben was a ‘petrol head’ and saved up money to buy several cars.
‘He just went and bought himself a VR Commodore five-litre V8 and he was fixing it up for himself,’ she said.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail officers are still investigating the incident and the deaths have been referred to the coroner.
A GoFundMe page was set up by two family friends on Sunday to help provide financial support.
‘The Stonehouse family are currently struggling to find the strength to continue,’ they wrote.
‘The family would appreciate any funds able to be provided at this time to cover all and any costs’.
Anyone with CCTV footage from the time of the incident has been urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.