A significant fire erupted in a storage facility on Old Gympie Road in Burpengary, north of Brisbane, around 6pm last night, prompting an emergency declaration that impacts numerous homes across Queensland. The blaze generated a substantial amount of smoke, which has affected visibility on the Bruce Highway and surrounding roads, as warned by firefighters.
As many as 75 firefighters have been deployed to combat the fire, working tirelessly throughout the night. Police enacted an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act approximately an hour after the fire began, establishing an exclusion zone that includes parts of New Settlement, Pitt, Bellini, Twists, and Old Bay Roads. Residents are urged to steer clear of the area and those within the restricted zone have been advised to stay indoors and keep windows closed until further notice.
Acting Inspector of the Queensland Fire Department, Daniel Rasmussen, commented on the challenging nature of the incident, noting that the storage facility’s design, which includes multiple sections and a variety of contents, contributes to its complexity. The fire has progressed rapidly in one half of the building, which is separated from the rest by a firewall.
Firefighters have made commendable efforts to contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to other structures and the unaffected section of the facility. Despite the challenges, they have managed to mitigate the risk of further damage, especially if the building were to collapse. Inspector Rasmussen indicated that the firefighting operation is expected to be a lengthy endeavour, highlighting the difficulty of the situation they face.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritising public safety and the effective management of the fire.