Qld Fire Department to plead guilty to safety breach in fatal blaze
Firefighter Izzy Nash died in hospital after battling a warehouse blaze south of Brisbane in 2023.
The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has admitted to a safety breach during a warehouse fire that tragically claimed the life of firefighter Izabella Nash in May 2023. The incident resulted in the severe injuries of fellow firefighter Lia Drew. The Work Health and Safety prosecutor initiated legal proceedings against the QFD in 2025, alleging that the department had exposed an individual to a risk of death, serious injury, or illness.
The QFD will plead guilty to the breach, although it maintains that it did not cause Nash's death or Drew's injuries.
The fatal incident occurred when a warehouse caught fire in Slacks Creek, south of Brisbane. Despite the efforts of emergency crews, Nash succumbed to her injuries the following day, while Drew required treatment for burns to her hands and arms. The investigation into the incident uncovered several issues, including the lack of a standard mayday call in emergency situations, the absence of thermal imaging cameras, and insufficient training on ladder rescues and breathing apparatuses.
Following the incident, the QFD has taken significant steps to improve safety measures. Commissioner Steve Smith stated that the department has implemented 33 recommendations, acquired new state-of-the-art intervention equipment, and provided staff with updated self-rescue and rapid intervention training. Despite these efforts, the QFD remains committed to continuous improvement and ensuring the safety of its firefighters and the Queensland community.
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