Queensland Fire Service to Admit Safety Breach in Fatal 2023 Warehouse Fire

The Queensland Fire Department announced it will enter a guilty plea to a workplace safety violation stemming from the May 2023 warehouse fire at Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane, which claimed the life of 46-year-old firefighter Izabella Nash and seriously injured senior firefighter Lia Drew. The Work Health and Safety prosecutor filed charges in 2025, asserting the department failed to protect personnel from a risk of death or serious injury.

Officials emphasized that the alleged breach concerns fireground radio communications and is not alleged to have caused the fatalities or injuries. In response, the department has adopted 33 safety recommendations, purchased new intervention gear and provided updated self-rescue and rapid-intervention training to its crews. Commissioner Steve Smith described the loss as a profound tragedy and pledged ongoing improvements. A court will determine the penalty at a later date.