A small regional community is in shock after two bodies, believed to be those of a father and daughter, were found in a burnt-out shed in Queensland's North Burnett region.
Police believe the bodies found were those of 54-year-old Todd Mooney and his 10-year-old daughter Kirra.
They have confirmed the bodies have been retrieved from the scene.
The man's partner, who is the mother of the child, was not home at the time of the fire.
North Burnett Deputy Mayor Robbie Radel said it was a difficult time for the Biggenden community, a small country town with a population of fewer than 1,000 people.
"It's certainly very raw at the moment and I think we've got a community in shock and will be for quite a while," he said.
"To lose Todd from our community and his daughter, Kirra, it's absolutely devastating for the community as a whole.
"It's certainly one of the worst events that I can remember locally.
"It's something that's really going to take a toll."
Mr Mooney and his partner took over the Biggenden Bakery in 2019, after the previous owners closed it due to ill health.
Cr Radel said the couple was well-known throughout the region.
"They were an absolutely integral part of our community, they are well-loved people within the community," he said.
"In a business sense, it'll certainly leave a big hole and have a big impact, not just on the local trade here but further afield, because they've been good businesspeople and their business extended way beyond the outskirts of Biggenden."
Couple due to get married
Detective Inspector Gary Pettiford said the couple was due to be married on the property next week.
"What makes this incident more tragic is the fact that the male adult and the female adult were due to get married next Wednesday," he said.
"So the whole thing is very, very tragic for the community out there."
Cr Radel said the tragedy has hit the community hard in the week before Christmas.
"There's never a time for a tragedy like this to go down well," he said.
"There's going to be some families locally here and further afield that their Christmas is never going to be the same again."
But despite the tragedy, Cr Radel said the community would rally together.
"I have no doubt that the community of Biggenden will gather around and support those who have been most heavily affected by this tragedy," he said.
"We'll stick together and get through it and the affected people will get the love that they need to get through."
Investigations continue
Police said it would take several days before they were in a position to determine the source of the fire.
"It'll be two or three days before we'll know anything concrete as to exactly what's happened," Detective Pettiford said.
"Once we recover those remains, then the investigations will start to discover the source of the fire.
"Whether it was an electrical fault, or an accident or intentional, we don't really know at this stage."
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Cr Radel said regardless of the investigation it was an important time for people to be grateful for those close to them.
"Pull your loved ones close," he said.
"Give them that extra hug and take the time to tell them that you love them.
"Hold them close over this festive season and just take care of each other."
