Police on scene after fire destroys backpackers at Bowen
Explosions and a “whistling sound” could be heard before multiple people were forced to flee a burning backpacker hostel in a popular Qld tourist town. LATEST.
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Bowen residents woke to a “really scary” sight on Wednesday morning after a backpacker hostel was destroyed by a fire, forcing up to eight people to flee.
Emergency crews were called just before 3.30am with three fire crews on scene about 3.40am, fighting the blaze that tore through the Gordon St Barnacles Backpackers building.
It took about an hour to extinguish the flames with a Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman confirming the fire was under control by 4.46am as crews dampened down hot spots.
She said the building was “gutted” and there had been a partial collapse.
Paramedics were called but thankfully all occupants were accounted for and no one needed to be taken to hospital with the crew leaving the scene about 6am.
A resident on the same street said it was “really scary” but that they did not have to be evacuated when the fire broke out
“I think we’re far enough away,” she said.
“It was quite big, quite scary.
“I’d say if they wanted us to go, they would have said but they had it well and truly covered.
“The response was good.”
It’s understood residents heard explosions and a “whistling sound” before the blaze broke out.
Police remained on scene as of 11am Wednesday, blocking off the road.
Officer in Charge Craig Shepherd said the site was now a crime scene and subject to an ongoing investigation.
“Our crew attended and found the place on fire,” he said.
“The place has been written off and burned down.
“There was about eight people in the building at the time, they were self-evacuated, police confirmed all the residents were out of the building.”
Member for Burdekin Dale Last said it was great news no one was injured or lost their lives as a result of the fire.
“Obviously, though, there are both immediate and longer-term consequences that will affect the community,” he said.
“Backpackers and other visiting workers play a key role in Bowen’s horticultural industry and in the town’s overall economy.
“While the facility is privately owned, I will assist wherever possible in finding ways to minimise the impact of the incident.
“On behalf of the community, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the emergency services who responded to the incident.
“It is events like these that reinforce how important the role these brave men and women play in our community really is.
“With regards to the cause of the incident, I am confident that the necessary investigations will be conducted and that the results of those investigations will help to improve fire safety overall.”
Mr Last also said it was a reminder of how important fire safety was both for facilities like hostels and the wider community.
“Too many times we have seen people seriously injured, or lives lost, due to fires and I would encourage business owners and homeowners to ensure equipment like smoke alarms are well maintained and tested regularly,” he said.
Local resident Madi Aspinall said she saw the building on fire at around 3.30am when it was just a “glow in the sky”.
“Then I took my photo at 3.40 and it was fully engulfed,” she said.
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