A Brisbane family is in mourning after their home was engulfed by a roaring blaze that claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy.
The fire broke out at the home just before midnight on Monday at Westlake, in Brisbane's west.
The 44-year-old mother was woken by a fire alarm and dragged her two daughters, aged 13 and 10, from the burning property.
But firefighters had to brave walls of flames to retrieve the boy from his room, breaking through the front veranda and windows.
Paramedics unsuccessfully tried to revive him for more than 45 minutes.
His mother suffered burns to her hands, feet and face, while his two sisters suffered smoke inhalation.
A Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital spokeswoman confirmed the mother was discharged on Tuesday afternoon.
Neighbours who witnessed the inferno say it was the largest blaze they'd ever seen.
"I've never, ever seen a fire that big and that hot in my life," Leanne Fitzgerald told Fairfax Radio.
"We were scared it was going to explode."
Ms Fitzgerald said she'd heard hissing - potentially coming from gas bottles on the back verandah - before the house was engulfed.
However, emergency workers say it's too early to rule on the cause of the fire, other than to say it does not appear suspicious.
"We'd like to thank the neighbours and the community who are rallying around the family and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the people involved," Acting Inspector Stephen Newlands said.
From the street, the home appears a blackened shell and completely hollowed out by the blaze, while floral tributes have been placed in the front yard.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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