EMERGENCY crews were called to the blaze at Barney Point in Gladstone at 9.30pm on Sunday and arrived to find the house fully alight.

The two women who lived at the house, believed to be a grandmother and her granddaughter, weren't home at the time. Authorities were then surprised to find the man's body in one of the rear bedrooms once the fire was under control. "The identity of the deceased person is unknown at this stage and police are conducting inquiries in regards to who that person might be," Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Peachey told reporters. "(The women) were obviously very distraught to find a loss of life and it's more than likely that they know this person." Sen Sgt Peachey said police would investigate whether the man had lit the fire himself. The women hadn't been home since that morning. * Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467