Early on Wednesday, around 3:30 am, firefighters were alerted to a fire at the Barnacles Backpackers in Bowen, located approximately 50 kilometres north-west of Airlie Beach. Eyewitness footage depicted flames shooting high into the night sky as emergency services battled to contain the inferno from the ground.
The fire was brought under control within an hour, at which point authorities declared the site a crime scene. Initially, it was believed that all eight occupants of the building had escaped unharmed. However, further investigations later revealed a body inside the premises.
Forensic teams have commenced examinations to determine the identity of the deceased. In the wake of this tragic incident, police are appealing for witnesses and urging anyone who may possess dashcam or CCTV footage of the area to come forward. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.