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Arson attack destroys Brisbane home linked to 2020 murder of Angus Beaumont

2 hours ago2 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

Two news articles report that a 36-year-old man was charged with arson after deliberately setting fire to a home in Clontarf, north of Brisbane, on May 31, 2026. The blaze destroyed the property of Ben Beaumont and Michelle Liddle, whose 15-year-old son, Angus Beaumont, was murdered in 2020, and damaged two adjoining homes. Firefighters contained the flames in about two hours, and the suspect was arrested shortly after fleeing the scene. Both sources confirm the man will appear in court on June 1. The incident has caused further emotional distress for the Beaumont family, who have already faced the loss of their son and now risk losing their livelihood and home. Investigations into the fire’s origins and the suspect’s motives are ongoing.

āœ“ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • A 36-year-old man was charged with arson as a domestic violence offence after setting fire to a house on Weaber Street, Clontarf, north of Brisbane, on May 31, 2026, around 1:50pm–2:00pm.
  • The fire destroyed the home of Ben Beaumont and Michelle Liddle and spread to two adjoining properties.
  • The blaze took 10 crews (34 firefighters) about two hours to control, with an emergency declaration issued due to smoke.
  • The suspect was located and arrested by a police dog squad unit shortly after fleeing the scene.
  • The man is due to appear in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Monday, June 1, 2026.
  • The house belonged to Ben Beaumont and Michelle Liddle, whose 15-year-old son, Angus Beaumont, was murdered in 2020.

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

ABC News
  • Police were en route to an alleged domestic violence-related disturbance when the fire was reported.
  • The couple thanked the community on social media and said they would close their gardening business for a week or two while rebuilding equipment and finding a place to live.
  • Queensland Fire Department Superintendent Mark Halverson described the fire as 'severely intense' and praised firefighters for preventing further spread.
News.com.au
  • Mandy Beaumont, Angus Beaumont’s sister, said the family’s urn containing Angus’ ashes and a framed picture of him were kept in the lounge, and she is unsure if they were saved.
  • Mandy Beaumont stated the family had 'lost everything,' including gardening trucks, and described the fire as spreading 'pretty fast.'
  • The family has started an online fundraiser to help rebuild, with Mandy Beaumont expressing devastation and saying, 'I am in tears over here, shaking, and just am lost to how to fix this.'

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • ABC reports the fire was started at 1:50pm, while NEWSCOMAU states emergency services were called at about 2pm.

Source Articles

ABC

Man charged with arson after house destroyed north of Brisbane

Police will allege a 36-year-old man used accelerant to start a fire at a house in Clontarf yesterday.

NEWSCOMAU

ā€˜In tears’: Fresh blow for slain teen’s family

A Queensland family has lost everything in a devastating house fire, just six years after their teenage son was fatally stabbed.