A crime scene has been declared at a unit fire in Freshwater with one man being charged with arson

A man has been charged with arson following a fire at a unit in Freshwater on Sunday morning.

A man has been charged with one count of arson after a unit fire in Freshwater early Sunday morning resulted in significant damage to the property.

Emergency services were called just after 1am on November 3, when smoke was seen coming from the duplex.

Police confirmed the fire at the duplex building on Old Smithfield Road was treated as suspicious, and a crime scene was declared on Sunday, November 3.

Authorities located a man at the scene and he was taken into custody, before he was transported to the Cairns Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the “Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch detectives have charged a 37-year-old Freshwater man with one count of arson”.

“The building was extensively damaged due to the fire.”

Police allege the 37-year-old occupant set fire to a couch in the living area, before the fire spread to the walls and ceiling, causing significant damage.

The man is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday, November 4.

A unit fire in Freshwater is being treated as suspicious and a crime scene has been declared following a blaze early Sunday morning. Picture: Supplied.

Quick-thinking neighbours, Cruise Brice and partner Andrew, who live next door to the duplex were first to arrive on scene.

The pair woke to the sound of fire alarms about 1am and could see flames flickering from the neighbour’s front door, along with a strong smell of smoke.

“I woke to the sound of a fire alarm and went out onto the balcony and saw the flames coming from the duplex’s front door,” Ms Brice said.

“My partner, Andrew, immediately ran over with the garden hose to start putting the fire out.”

Describing the scene as confronting, Ms Brice said “it could have been a lot worse”.

“The fire was pretty large and the ceiling had already fallen down by the time my partner had gotten there … It looks like it’s unlivable at this point,” she said.

“There was like three fire trucks and about six cop cars, all in our street, so it was very lit up. It was all going on.”

Three fire crews arrived on scene just after 1.20am and identified a couch on fire in one of the units, with one person just outside the unit.

A spokesman for Queensland Fire Department said when crews arrived what remained of the fire was extinguished “quickly”.

“Our crews arrived and identified a couch had been on fire in one of the residents living room,” he said.

“Crew assisted putting the fire out and also checked the ceiling for hot spots.”

The scene was handed over to Queensland Police Service about 3am on Sunday, where a crime scene has now been established. Picture: Brendan Radke

The scene was handed over to Queensland Police Service about 3am on Sunday, where a crime scene was established.

“A crime scene has been declared and there is an ongoing investigation,” QPS spokeswoman said.

Also on scene was Queensland Ambulance Service, however, they did not assess any patients.

“One person had been identified in the structure, however, they were deemed safe and out of danger,” QAS spokesman said.

No one was seriously injured and investigations are continuing.

Originally published as A crime scene has been declared at a unit fire in Freshwater with one man being charged with arson