Five hospitalised, including two with serious burns, after Hemmant forklift fire

Incident Overview

Five people were taken to hospital after a forklift caught fire at a commercial container site in Hemmant, in Brisbane’s east, on Friday 4 September 2026. Two people suffered severe burns and three others were treated for smoke inhalation. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland attended and is investigating.

Workplace, Location and Time

Emergency crews were called to a business on Anton Road at about 10:50am. The fire involved a large industrial forklift and spread to nearby stacked shipping containers. 7NEWS reported that more than 100 workers and several neighbouring businesses were evacuated as smoke moved through the area.

Forklift Fire and Emergency Response

Queensland Fire Department Acting Inspector Daniel Rasmussen said staff tried to contain the fire early, but it spread before crews extinguished it. Five empty shipping containers were damaged. Their height and arrangement made access difficult for firefighters. The cause of the forklift fire had not been established in the initial reports.

Injuries and Immediate Outcome

One patient sustained life-threatening burns to the head, face and chest. A second suffered serious burns to the arms, according to ABC News. Three other people were hospitalised with smoke inhalation; 7NEWS identified those three as male workers. The reports did not confirm that every injured person was an employee, and no later medical outcome has been verified for this article.

Investigation and Site Response

A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokesperson confirmed that the regulator had been notified and attended, according to Daily Cargo News. The business said its immediate focus was supporting staff and their families and cooperating with authorities. Findings about the ignition source, equipment condition or workplace controls have not been published.

Why We Report Workplace Accidents

Carter Capner Law follows incidents like this to highlight hazards that can affect people at work and the importance of timely support after serious injury. Workers affected by a fire or other workplace accident may wish to obtain advice about their circumstances and possible workers’ compensation options. Whether a particular person qualifies depends on the facts and the applicable law.