Family Devastated as Home Destroyed in Suspected Arson Attack Following Tragic Loss
A Brisbane family has been dealt a devastating blow, with their home in Clontarf, north of the city, “burnt to the ground” in what police are treating as a suspected arson attack. This shocking incident comes as the family is still grappling with the profound grief of losing their 15-year-old son, Angus Beaumont, who was tragically stabbed to death in a car park in Redcliffe last year.
The fire broke out just before 2pm on Saturday. Queensland Police confirmed in a statement released on Sunday that a 36-year-old man allegedly used an accelerant to set the Weaber Street residence alight before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, no one was injured in the blaze, but the property was completely destroyed.
The house belonged to Ben Beaumont and Michelle Liddle, the heartbroken parents of Angus Beaumont. The news has sent fresh waves of anguish through the family. Mandy Beaumont, Angus’s aunt, described the incident as “another immeasurable loss” for a family already drowning in sorrow.
“This afternoon his house was burnt to the ground after someone he knew got into his house and poured petrol all over it and lit a match with my brother, his partner and their teenage son it,” Mandy Beaumont wrote in a GoFundMe appeal, detailing the horrific circumstances of the fire. “This tragedy is on the back of, in 2020, when my brother’s son Angus was murdered in a car park … this destroyed our family back then, and this next blow is yet another bad, bad thing.”
The impact of the fire has been catastrophic for the family, leaving them with absolutely nothing.
- Loss of Essential Assets: Ben Beaumont, a gardener by trade, has lost not only his home but also all his trucks and gardening tools. These were not just possessions but the very tools of his livelihood, now reduced to ashes.
- Irreplaceable Sentimental Items: The family is also devastated by the potential loss of Angus’s ashes. The urn containing his remains was kept in the lounge room and is feared to have been consumed by the inferno. This represents an immeasurable personal loss, as it was the last tangible connection to their beloved son.
The family’s ordeal has been compounded by the fact that the alleged arsonist is known to them. The GoFundMe appeal highlights the deep sense of betrayal and disbelief that someone known to the family could inflict such destruction.
In the wake of the fire, police have acted swiftly. A 36-year-old man from Dakabin has been charged with one count of arson. He is scheduled to appear before the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Monday.
This latest tragedy underscores the immense resilience required by families facing profound loss and the devastating consequences of violent crime. The community is rallying around the Beaumont family, offering support and assistance as they navigate this incredibly difficult period. The GoFundMe page has been set up to help them rebuild their lives from scratch, a daunting task given the totality of their losses. The hope is that this appeal will provide some solace and practical help as they try to find a way forward after suffering such immense heartache and destruction.
