A man has been rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after shots were fired by police at the scene of a house fire in Brisbane‘s bayside.
Emergency services were called to a Cabanda Street address at Wynnum West shortly before 9.30am on Tuesday following reports of an occupant inside a burning home.
A man, 39, was shot in the stomach during a confrontation with police at the scene short time later.
He was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition.
No police officers or other members of the public were injured. Firefighters have since extinguished the blaze, which caused extensive damage to the home.
‘There is no risk to public safety,’ a police statement read.
‘A crime scene has been declared. Investigations are ongoing.’
Police wouldn’t confirm how many shots were fired.
Emergency services remain at the scene at Cabanda Street in Wynnum West on Tuesday
A man is fighting for life after he was shot during a confrontation with police on Tuesday. Pictured are officers at the scene
‘Policing is an inherently dangerous occupation, we know that, and today our officers were confronted with a situation which required them to use a use of force that was adequate to the situation they were confronted with,’ Acting Chief Superintendent Heath McQueen told reporters.
The Ethical Standards Command has launched an investigation into the incident, which will be subject to oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Shocked neighbours said they watched armed officers run into a home.
Another heard a man screaming for help as he tried to extinguish the flames with a garden hose, the Courier Mail reported.
Others reported seeing a police helicopter hovering in the skies.
Cabanda and Malabar streets remain cordoned off.
‘Distressing news in Wynnum West. Please stay clear of Cabanda St and Malabar St and let police and emergency services do their job,’ local state MP Joan Pease posted online.
The confrontation unfolded at the scene of a house fire in Brisbane’s bayside
The house is now uninhabitable due to extensive damage sustained in the fire
Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie has also addressed the incident.
‘I feel for everyone involved, particularly the police,’ he said.
‘No one wants to go to work on any occasion and have to use that sort of force.’
The house is now uninhabitable due to extensive damage sustained in the fire.
Investigators are yet to determine the cause of the blaze.
