Multiple campers torched near rest stop near Steve Irwin Way

Backpackers have described terrifying scenes after a rest stop used by the homeless on the Sunshine Coast resembled a war zone when fire tore through a motorhome and camper trailers.

Firefighters battle an inferno which swept through a Sunshine Coast rest stop, destroying cars and campers.

A rest stop used by the homeless on the Sunshine Coast resembled a war zone after fire tore through a motorhome and camper trailers.

Police said a man was in custody while firefighters remained on the scene after an early morning blaze.
Before 6am today Queensland Fire Department crews rushed to Steve Irwin Way near Glenview after reports of multiple vehicles and campers on fire.

A QFD spokesman said one motor home, six camper trailers and tents, and one motorcycle were on fire near Old Daisy’s Place on Steve Irwin Way.

Queensland Police released a statement about investigations into reports of a suspicious fire at the rest stop.

It stated police received reports about 6am of a man allegedly setting fire to camping equipment at the Jowarra Park rest area.

The fire resulted in damage to a number of tents and caravans.

Police said a man armed with a metal pole confronted officers on their arrival, who took the man into custody shortly after without incident.

A crime scene has been declared and anyone who witnessed the event or has information or vision is urged to contact police.

Firefighters battle an inferno which swept through a Sunshine Coast rest stop, destroying cars and campers.

French backpackers Thomas Jousset, 21, and Leandro Molinos, 20, had witnessed the blaze, after arriving at the rest stop in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Their one-night stay, part of their Australian road trip, was rudely interrupted by a loud bang they believe was a tyre exploding at around 6am.

When they opened their tent, they saw a “three or four metre high fire” consuming vehicles parked nearby.

Two French backpackers captured footage of a blaze at a rest stop near Old Daisy's Place in Glenview. Photo: supplied

Mr Jousset said he saw a man wielding a makeshift metal bar running around the rest stop.

“The guy was just crazy,” he said.

The two backpackers said the man they saw seemed to be in a conflict with a woman camper.

Two French backpackers captured footage of a blaze at a rest stop near Old Daisy's Place in Glenview. Photo: supplied

Mr Jousset said, after the fire was blazing, another man approached the first man in an aggressive way.

About 20 minutes after the explosion sound woke the backpackers, “lots of police” arrived and arrested the first man, Mr Jousset explained.

Although they weren’t hurt at all, Mr Jousset and Mr Molinos said they were both shaken up by the ordeal.

“It was just crazy,” Mr Jousset said.

“We were not ready for this.”

Two French backpackers captured footage of a blaze at a rest stop near Old Daisy's Place in Glenview. Photo: supplied

Locals were devastated by the blaze with many pointing out it had become a place for the homeless due the lack of affordable housing in the region.

“This is really sad. Those poor people already had it so hard. they just lost everything,’’ Henny Penny said.

“That’s not just a rest stop, many people residing there are homeless,” Elisabeth Gaedtke posted.

Firefighters battle an inferno which swept through a Sunshine Coast rest stop, destroying cars and campers.

“That’s their home. Why would anyone do that?”

Paramedics arrived to the scene at 6.17am and assessed two patients.

Firefighters said the fire was under control as of 6.45am, and the blaze has since been extinguished.

One local reported the garbage bin was on fire yesterday at 2pm when she dropped her husband off for a bus to Brisbane Airport.

At 9am, police tape blocked off the scene, with officers still monitoring the area.

Smoke was still seen coming from the torched bus.

Two French backpackers captured footage of a blaze at a rest stop near Old Daisy's Place in Glenview. Photo: supplied

Firefighters battle an inferno which swept through a Sunshine Coast rest stop, destroying cars and campers.

Fire crews confirmed no one was inside the burning vehicles but a few crews remain as a precaution.

More than 11 QFD vehicles had initially rushed to the scene to bring the fire under control.

Firefighters battle an inferno which swept through a Sunshine Coast rest stop, destroying cars and campers.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said a crime scene has been declared and police were treating it possibly as an arson incident.

Firefighters on the scene of the blaze which tore through caravans and vehicles at the Sunshine Coast rest stop.

The spokesman confirmed one person was in custody at this stage.

At the time of writing no charges have been made.

More to come.