Queensland inquest to examine domestic violence links and fire cause in Russell Island blaze

A coronial inquiry scheduled for November in Brisbane will scrutinize the August 2023 blaze that killed Wayne Godinet Jr, his sons Zackary, Harrison, twins Kyza and Koah, and Nickolas. Sixteen witnesses, among them fire specialists, police officers and mother Samantha Stephenson, are slated to testify over a ten-day period. The inquest will explore claims that ongoing domestic violence may have contributed to the fire, as well as the lack of compliant smoke alarms and the unclear point of origin.

Investigators highlighted that the house, a relocated Queenslander renovated the year before, had a makeshift entertainment area powered by a five-point board and a faulty extension, with exposed wires. The Queensland Fire Department’s report could not rule out human-initiated ignition or an electrical fault. The hearing will also assess whether Russell Island’s fire-fighting resources were sufficient.