Two neighbours have been commended for their bravery after trying to rescue someone from a burning house in north Queensland.
The body of a person believed to be a man was later found in the Townsville home's debris, despite the good Samaritans' efforts.
The two neighbours - men aged in their 40s - suffered injuries trying to pull off the rescue late on Tuesday night, police said.
Detective Inspector Chris Caswell said the neighbours had been courageous.
"It's a brave effort to go to the aid of someone else. Unfortunately it just wasn't able to be done in this instance," he said.
Police said they did not believe the person who died lived in the house.
The two neighbours were taken to hospital with one suffering burns to his head and hand while the other had a cut arm.
A third man - believed to be a firefighter - was also treated at hospital for smoke inhalation.
Emergency services responded to calls about the Hermit Park house blaze after 11pm on Tuesday.
The body was found after they extinguished the fire.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, police said.
