POLICE have confirmed three people are dead after a gas explosion in a caravan in Mount Isa this morning.
A police spokesman said remains had been found at a home on Deighton Street, Mornington, and the caravan was destroyed.
A 39-year-old man and two children, aged four and seven, were believed to have been inside the caravan at the time, police said.
An exclusion zone set up at 7.30am extended along Deighton Street between Enid, Stanley and Jones streets.
A police statement said nearby residents evacuated themselves.
Nearby business owner Sonja Wessels said she heard an "extremely loud" explosion and saw black smoke spilling out above the street.
"It shook us and we sort of thought, the first thing we did was check our property. That's how close we thought it was," she said.
Ms Wessels said her function centre was about 500 metres from the site of the explosion.
Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady was in Brisbane when he received the news.
"I received a call around about 7 o'clock this morning, from the superintendent of police to inform me that there had been an explosion in one of the streets, in a suburb of Mount Isa and it appeared that three people have been killed," he said.
"This is a terrible blow for any community, when you are deeply involved yourself, it's a double whammy.
"My community are a close knit community, we will rally and do anything we can to assist."
Cr McGrady said he would abandon his conference in Brisbane to fly home and offer what support and consolation he could.
"These things happen in big cities and to some extent they are anonymous," he said.
"But when they happen in small communities, such as ours, it is all the more hurtful. So to those people who are affected, the families of, on behalf of my city, I say my deep condolences to them and we all stand ready to assist them in this terrible, terrible time."
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the government would offer what assistance it could to the community.
"It is devastating, we are still obviously finding out the details in relation to this," she said.
"I know this is such a significant tragedy for [Cr McGrady]'s community.
"I want to reassure people the Queensland Government stands ready to help Mayor McGrady and the whole Mount Isa community in relation to this issue.
"Our hearts go out to those involved."
Mount Isa MP Rob Katter echoed those sentiments in a Facebook post.
"This is a tragedy that will send shockwaves through the community," he said.
"We should be ready to support those in need after this tragedy."
