Wheelchair-bound mother Carmel Pierce and her disabled son Marcus are burned to death in brutal house fire - decades after tragedy struck the family

Mother and son killed in house fire, Brisbane Neighbours heard mother yelling for help  Her daughter was brutally murdered in 1988READ MORE: Six people rushed to hospital explosion at Outback desert race

A wheelchair-bound mother and her disabled son were killed in a horrific house fire decades after another family member was murdered.

Emergency services rushed  to Cypress Street in Woodridge, in Brisbane's south, at about 6pm on Sunday following reports a two-storey home was ablaze.

The bodies of Carmel Pierce, aged in her 80s, and her disabled son Marcus, aged in his 60s, were found inside the home.

It's understood Ms Pierce was wheelchair-bound and called her neighbours for help after becoming trapped by the flames.

The house fire was another tragic blow to an already grieving family after Ms Pierce lost both her daughters - one to suicide and another to murder.

Emergency services rushed to Cypress Street in Woodridge, in Brisbane's south, at about 6pm on Sunday following reports a two-storey home was ablaze (pictured)

Carmel Pierce, aged in her 80s, and her disabled son Marcus, aged in his 60s, died in the blaze

Cary-Jane was killed in 1988 and left in bushland near Gateway Bridge - an area known as 'Rabbits Hill'. 

Police discovered the murderer struck Cary-Jane on the back of he head with a rock and bound the strap from her canvas knapsack around her neck. 

Cary-Jane was 26-years-old at the time and her murder remains unsolved. 

Tributes have poured in for Ms Pierce and her son with locals describing the mother as a vibrant and caring woman.

Councillor Teresa Lane said Ms Pierce, who worked with the Queensland Department of Corrections and victims of crime, dedicated much of her career to those in need.

'She was vibrant, sassy and witty, a woman who loved her family and stood up for vulnerable people,' Ms Lane told the Courier Mail.

'Carmel will be mourned by family, friends, former colleagues and many members of the community including elected members from all three levels of government.

Ms Pierce's daughter Cary-Jane was brutally murdered in 1988. Her murder remains unsolved

'Her son Marcus who also passed away in the fire was her rock, best friend and carer these last few years having moved up from Sydney to support her to stay independent.'

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick also shared a touching tribute to Ms Pierce and her son, claiming the fire had 'shocked the entire community'.

'You had a son caring for his mother and the fact that they would both lose their lives in these terrible circumstances... it's just awful… it's heartbreaking,' Mr Dick said.

Mr Dick added he had known Ms Pierce 'quite well' and described her as having a 'great sense of humour'.

He said she was an energetic person until her health declined in recent years.

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