Woman charged following Russell Island house fire that killed five boys and their father
Queensland police have charged a woman following a house fire where five brothers and their father died last year.
Police allege the house, on Russell Island east of Brisbane, did not have compliant smoke alarms.
"It will be alleged the woman is the owner of the property and was not present when the fire occurred," police said in a statement.
Wayne Godinet, Zack, 11, Harry, 10, four-year-old twins Kyza and Koah and Nicky, 3, all died when the Todman Street home burnt to the ground on August 6.
The boys' mother Samantha Stephenson and another woman escaped the blaze.
At the time, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll described the fire as "one of the largest tragedies" the state had experienced in recent years and said it required an "extremely thorough investigation".
The Russell Island community of about 3,500 people was hit hard by the fatal fire.
Police have now served a 61-year-old Tweed Heads woman with a notice to appear in the Cleveland Magistrates Court on one count of "owners must install smoke alarms".
The maximum penalty in Queensland is five penalty units, or $774.
She is expected to appear in court on March 26.
Detectives continue to investigate the fire and a final report is expected to be submitted to the coroner in the near future.