Resident dies in fire at retirement community

An 83-year-old man is believed to have died in a fire at a retirement community in Burpengary, north of Brisbane, on Monday night.

Police said two residents from the same village tried to rescue him.

"They've bravely smashed windows and attempted to open a door," Detective Inspector David Harbison told the ABC.

"Unfortunately, the intensity of the fire drove them back and they weren't able to assist any further, so incredibly brave acts, attempting to heroically save this resident."

Emergency services were called around 9pm with reports of a fire in one of the units, believed to have started at the back of the home.

Police have yet to identify the victim formally, and the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

A second home was also destroyed.

"The fire was that intense, a number of surrounding homes have actually been scorched by heat and hit with debris," Mr Harbison said.

"Anything in the immediate surroundings was somewhat affected by the fire."

The fire was extinguished about 11pm.

Investigations into what caused the fire continue. 

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