Teen Girl Killed and 4 Family Members Critically Injured in Devastating House Fire (Video)

A tragic early-morning house fire in Queensland, Australia has left a 13-year-old girl dead and four others fighting for their lives — and investigators are now looking into whether an e-bike battery may have sparked the deadly blaze.

The fire broke out just after 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, at a home in Lawnton, a suburb north of Brisbane. A man and woman in their thirties and two teenagers were able to escape but were rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to multiple Australian outlets. Thirteen-year-old Savannah Kerr was pronounced dead at the scene.

A family friend told The Courier Mail that she had spoken with Savannah’s mother just two days before the fire — and that the mom had already been going through an unimaginably difficult year.

“The mother was at my house on Friday,” the friend, Jess J, said. “We’ve said so many times that it can’t get any worse… and it just keeps coming.” She said she fears for the grieving mother’s emotional state. “All year we have just been copping it with stuff that would break people. I’m pretty broken, and when she wakes up, she’s going to be destroyed.”

Neighbors reported hearing arguing shortly before the fire, and said children were calling for help once the flames broke out. By the time police and firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed. At least five fire crews battled the blaze, and neighboring homes had to be evacuated for about an hour while crews worked to control it. Photos from the scene show the roof completely collapsed.

Moreton District Senior Sergeant Joseph Zitny said investigators believe Savannah lived at the home and confirmed that not all residents were present at the time. As part of their investigation, detectives are now examining whether a battery from an e-bike or e-scooter may have ignited the fire, though the cause has not yet been determined.

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The Queensland Police Service confirmed that a crime scene was declared and the investigation is ongoing.

As the community grieves, Savannah is being remembered as a lively, unforgettable teenager.

“Savannah definitely needs to be remembered,” Jess J said. “She was such a character that it’s hard to even put into words.”

The teen’s aunt has launched a GoFundMe to help support the family, describing Savannah as “a bright, loving, beautiful soul” whose loss has shattered their hearts.

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