Human remains found after townhouse explodes

A man in his 60s, who owned and lived alone at the property, is unaccounted for after residents reported hearing a “huge bang” just before 1pm yesterday in Nambucca Close at Murrumba Downs.

Acting Detective Inspector Stephen Windsor said police were not looking for anyone else over the blast.

“I can confirm at the moment that there are no concerns for the community and for the public,” he said.

Windsor said the man who lived at the property faced some “challenges” in life.

“Information I have been provided is that the male person has had some challenges and some current pressures in life and he has made some comments about that (on social media),” he said.

“There was an explosion and there were four 9kg gas bottles in the living room.

“That’s all being processed at this moment.”

Police said it is too early to formally identify the body.

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Residents on the street said the home went up in flames quickly, with debris strewn down the street.

“There were pieces of the house on our front lawn,” one neighbour said.

“Broken glass everywhere, broken windows everywhere.”

Police declared an exclusion zone around the site and evacuated neighbouring properties after the blast.

The emergency declaration was revoked shortly before 4.30pm yesterday.

A crime scene remains active and police are expected to remain on scene for the remainder of the day.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.