Grieving Family Suffers Fresh Trauma After House Fire
A family already enduring profound grief has been struck by another devastating blow. A house fire, allegedly set deliberately, has caused extensive damage to the Clontarf home of Ben Beaumont and Michelle Liddle, just six years after the murder of their son, Angus Beaumont.
Allegations of Arson and Domestic Violence
Emergency services responded to reports of a blaze at the Weaber Street property north of Brisbane on Saturday afternoon. Authorities allege that Corey Wardle, 36, used an accelerant to ignite the home, which he reportedly shared with the family. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the Beaumonts’ residence and two neighboring properties.
Wardle is accused of fleeing the scene but was apprehended shortly thereafter. He has been charged with arson in connection with a domestic violence incident.
A Family’s Ongoing Tragedy
This latest incident compounds the immense sorrow the Beaumont family has experienced since the senseless stabbing death of 15-year-old Angus in March 2020. Angus died after sustaining a deep stab wound during an altercation with two other teenagers outside a Redcliffe McDonald’s. The individuals responsible for his death have since been released from prison after serving their sentences.
Impact on the Family Business and Belongings
Mandy Beaumont, Ben Beaumont’s sister, described the alleged arson as a devastating event for the family. In addition to losing their home, Ben Beaumont also reportedly lost his gardening business, which was operated from the property. The business had been a crucial source of solace and purpose for him following Angus’s murder.
“Ben and Michelle have been together for more than 20 years, and Michelle owned the house before that, they’ve been there for forever and that’s where he runs his business from and that’s where Angus and his other brother grew up,” Ms. Beaumont stated. “I know it’s just stuff, but it’s also just devastating after the loss of Angus.”
She expressed deep concern for her brother’s emotional well-being, noting the immense loss of not only their home but also his business assets, including trucks and tools. “The gardening business has been the one thing that has really kept him going after Angus was killed. If he’s lost his business too that’s just devastating. I don’t know where you go from there. I’m just worried for him and how he’s feeling emotionally.”
Concerns Over Personal Mementos
Ms. Beaumont also voiced fears that the family may have lost Angus’s urn and ashes, which were reportedly kept in an urn in the lounge alongside a framed photograph. “I know Angus’ ashes were kept in an urn in the lounge with a big beautiful framed picture of him, and I don’t know if they had time to save him,” she shared.
The family was safely evacuated from the fire without injury. It is understood that multiple calls were made to emergency services prior to the alleged arson incident.
Emergency Response and Community Support
Authorities allege that Wardle threatened the Beaumonts before obtaining petrol from a ute, entering the home, and setting it ablaze. Approximately 40 firefighters responded to the scene, battling the intense flames that had already consumed three dwellings by the time they arrived.
Queensland Fire Superintendent Mark Halverson commended the efforts of the firefighters, stating, “With three dwellings each involved in an intense fire, the chance of spread to adjoining properties is very high, so they did a fantastic job to prevent that from happening.”
In the immediate aftermath of the blaze, neighbors reportedly rushed to remove equipment like lawnmowers and fuel containers from the Beaumonts’ front garden. One witness described hearing cracking sounds and loud bangs before the arrival of firefighters and subsequent evacuation.
A section of Weaber Street remained cordoned off by police on Sunday as investigations continued.
Community Rallies in Support
A GoFundMe campaign established to support the Beaumont family had raised $20,000 within 24 hours of the fire, underscoring the community’s solidarity during this difficult time.
Wardle remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Monday.
