A toddler has died on his second birthday in a house fire in southeast Queensland.

The boy’s mother and four children escaped the blaze that destroyed the Beenleigh house just before 3pm Thursday.

Police said the fire happened while the father was picking up a sixth child, the eldest, from school.

Boy, 2, dies on birthday in #housefire http://t.co/RJDb3Rxxdi #Brisbane #Beenleigh pic.twitter.com/xifF3X1bfg

— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) May 14, 2015

“The mother was home with the other five and she got four out,” Acting Inspector John Hamrey told reporters. “The other little fella, a son, the two-year-old, was in the back part of the house and she couldn’t get to him.

“We believe it was his birthday today.”

Television footage of the incident showed the father being held back while apparently trying to re-enter the burning home.

The QAS spokesman said a man was treated at the scene for mild smoke inhalation.

Acting Insp Hamrey said it was unclear what sparked the blaze.

Investigations are continuing.