Police are investigating a suspicious house fire on the Gold Coast that has left one man dead and two others fighting for life.

Emergency services were called to the address on Sickle Avenue, Hope Island, about 11.45pm on Tuesday, with TV news footage showing the two-storey house engulfed by flames.

After the blaze was extinguished, the body of a 38-year-old man was found inside a bedroom, where the fire is thought to have started.

Queensland Police said two other men – aged 44 and 84 – suffered life-threatening burn injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment, while a 59-year-old woman was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.

Another man managed to escape the house unharmed.

“The badly damaged house was declared a crime scene while police investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire,” police said.

Two nearby residents told the Gold Coast Bulletin the house’s front door was on fire when they got to the scene and they helped two of the occupants escape through a garage.

“We heard an older lady screaming so we ran outside and she told us to get help and that her dad was inside the garage,” Eli Bilj-Kakoi said.

“So we lifted up the garage and got him out. It was a big fire, the lady was screaming.”

Detective Superintendent Chris Ahearn told media a domestic violence order had been issued after police responded to a reported disturbance at the house last week.

“Police investigations found there had been a disturbance between two men who lived at the home,” he said. “It was alleged some threats were made.”

Anyone with information, or relevant CCTV, dashcam or other vision from the area around the time of the deadly fire, is asked to contact police via Crime Stoppers or by calling 1800 333 000.