Wayne Godinet and his five children – Zac, 11, Harry, 10, four-year-old twins Kyza and Koah, and Nicky, three – died after their home on Russell Island was engulfed in flames on August 6.
The children’s mother Samantha Stephenson, 28, escaped the blaze, but was taken to hospital.
A 61-year-old Tweed Heads woman was today issued with a notice to appear in court on “one count of owners must install smoke alarms”.
Police allege the woman is the owner of the property and was not present when the fire occurred.
It will be further alleged the house did not have compliant smoke alarms, according to police.
Locals in the small community of 3500 were in shock following the horror fire last year, with messages written on hearts left at Russell Island State School and Kindergarten, where the older children went.
“I (have) seen them everyday for years – the kids singing songs on the way to school,” one neighbour said.
“My friends looked after them. We all loved them dearly.”
Landlords must install working smoke alarms in residential rental properties under Queensland law.
“Existing smoke alarms manufactured more than 10 years ago, as well as any smoke alarms that do not operate when tested, must be replaced with photoelectric smoke alarms that comply with Australian Standard 3786–2014,” according to QFES.
“Within 30 days before the start of a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the lessor/landlord must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling.
“During a tenancy in a domestic dwelling, the tenant must test and clean each smoke alarm in the dwelling, at least once every 12 months.”
Failure to do so attracts a maximum penalty of a $774 fine.
The 61-year-old woman is expected to appear at the Cleveland Magistrates Court on March 26.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the fire and a final report is expected to be submitted to the Coroner in the near future.
