Dozens of reptiles perish in garage fire in Upper Coomera

Dozens of reptiles including four crocodiles have perished after fire broke out in a garage at a home on the Gold Coast.

Four crocodiles have perished in a garage fire on the Gold Coast. Picture: AFP

Dozens of reptiles have perished in a small garage fire on the Gold Coast overnight.

The Courier-Mail has been told four crocodiles, measuring between 3-4 foot, 20 adult pythons and up to 30 baby pythons were killed when fire took hold of an Upper Coomera home late Tuesday night.

According to police, the fire is being treated as non-suspicious and is believed to have started from a power board in the garage where the reptiles were stored.

The 32-year-old man who lives at the Currawong Cres property, who is a licensed reptile handler, smelt smoke coming from his garage about 11.40pm.

“He went to his garage where a number of reptile enclosures are and saw flames in the room,” a statement from Queensland Police said.

There was no significant damage to the property, and the man was uninjured in the blaze, however unfortunately 54 animals died as a result.