Fire destroys Cross River Rail worksite office in Bowen Hills

A Cross River Rail construction site office has been destroyed by fire overnight, forcing the worksite to close.

A Cross River Rail construction site office has been destroyed by fire overnight.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at the intersection of Wren St and O’Connell Tce just before 8.30pm on Tuesday.

Multiple demountable buildings at a temporary Cross River Rail worksite within Brisbane Showgrounds caught alight, damaging multiple offices.

The scene this morning. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said nine crews responded after an alarm was activated.

“On arrival, crews found multiple shipping containers and demountables engulfed by flames,” the spokesman said.

The fire caused smoke in the area, which also went into a nearby tunnel.

A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesman said no workers were at the compound when the fire broke out.

“The Delivery Authority is aware of the incident, is assessing the situation and will make more information available as it comes to hand,” a spokesman said.

”Multiple fire crews were in attendance and there has been extensive damage to some demountable worksite buildings.

A fire has closed down a street at Bowen Hills.

“The cause of the fire is not yet known and fire investigators are expected to attend the site within this morning.”

Bowen Hills resident Dan Martin reported hearing “a few explosions” from his apartment.

“We normally hear a lot of sirens in the area but I had a look out the window and I was like hang on I can see smoke,” he said.

“I heard a few explosions, it looks like a decent fire they are trying to get under control.”

The fire was under control by 9.20pm.

Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The site will be closed on Wednesday. Workers are due to return to work on Thursday.

Originally published as Fire destroys Cross River Rail worksite office in Bowen Hills