A mother and a family friend have died in a devastating house fire, with police launching an investigation into the blaze.

The fire broke out at a home on Adelaide St in Kingston, south of Brisbane, just after 3pm on Tuesday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Two people dead in house fire in Kingston

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

Emergency crews arrived to find the house fully engulfed in flames, with firefighters taking about an hour to bring it under control.

Police have confirmed the victims were mother Leanne Laver and family friend Philip Gordon.

Four people, including Laver’s husband and the couple’s children, escaped the burning home.

A neighbour recalled noticing the smell of smoke before hearing the commotion. “I smelt it before I heard it,” she said.

Emergency crews spent about an hour bringing the deadly blaze under control. Credit: 7NEWS

She said the blaze spread rapidly, engulfing the house within minutes.

“Within three to five minutes, like, it felt the whole house was engulfed, we were just yelling to make sure is anybody inside, is everybody okay.”

Queensland Police issued an emergency declaration (PSPA) because of the threat to neighbouring homes before it was revoked after three hours.

A crime scene has been established and investigations into the cause of the blaze are continuing.