Burleigh Pavilion fire: Police investigate arson attack

An incredible twist of fate involving skateboarder Keegan Palmer’s Olympic gold medal has been credited with saving one of the Gold Coast’s most popular venues from serious damage in an arson attack.

An extraordinary twist of fate has saved one of the Gold Coast’s most popular venues from being seriously damaged in an arson attack in the early hours of Thursday morning.

A small number of staff, including two of owner Ben May’s sons, had remained at the Burleigh Pavilion after locking up to watch Gold Coast skateboarder Keegan Palmer compete in the Olympics. Mr Palmer is a cousin of a manager at the venue.

At 2.20am, shortly after the 21-year-old claimed gold for Australia an arson attack was launched at the Goodwin Terrace restaurant, with a container full of petrol hurled onto the rear deck, igniting a fireball.

A black stain showing where the arson attack was launched at a balcony to the rear of the Burleigh Pavilion. Picture Glenn Hampson

The staff who were at the venue immediately ran outside, scaring the man away.

Damage was done to tables, parasols and walls on the deck, but Burleigh Pavilion owner Mr May said it could have been a lot worse.

“The guy had, by the sounds of it, 20 litres or more. He had four more big bottles of accelerant and two more jerry cans,” Mr May said.

“He could have gone the whole way around the building if he wanted.

“ ... He has thrown (one) up and was about to launch a lot more but the boys got out there. He’s then obviously heard our boys screaming and he’s bolted, like the filthy little coward he is.

“And that has put a stop to it. It could have been so much worse.”

Burleigh Pavilion owner, Ben May. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Mr May said it was sheer luck that his sons and staff members had still been at the venue.

Not only did they scare away the attacker, but they were able to put out the fire before police and fire crews arrived, saving it from greater damage.

“Thank God they were there,” he said. “It’s a miracle.

“It’s only because of that Aussie boy skating in the Olympics, and he’s a cousin of one of my managers.

“That’s the only reason the boys were in the venue. Otherwise they’re gone well before that, close up, do the cash up and they’re gone by 1am at the latest.”

The venue was saved from more serious damage thanks to the quick actions of staff who were on the premises. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Police told the Bulletin they were investigating the fire at the venue as suspicious. It was unclear at time of writing whether one or more people were involved in the attack.

Mr May said he was confident police would catch those responsible.

“The police were straight onto it. They’ve been incredibly proactive,” he said. “I feel it’s in very good hands with the detective at Burleigh.”

The attack took place at about the same time Keegan Palmer was winning gold in the park skateboarding final at the Paris Olympics. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)

The attack on the Pavilion comes in the wake of a number of Bulletin reports highlighting how businesses had been affected by a wave of crime and anti-social behaviour in Burleigh.

The problems had left staff of some businesses afraid to walk to their cars at night.

Mr May said his business had been affected by the problems and feared the arson attack may have been linked.

“In this situation, there’s clearly zero respect for anyone’s safety. To think that anybody would think it would be ok to throw a fireball at someone’s property, not knowing whether there was people inside or not, it’s just beyond me,” he said.

The LNP’s candidate for the state seat of Burleigh, Hermann Vorster.

Candidate for the state seat of Burleigh Hermann Vorster said the “incredibly shocking” attack on the Burleigh Pavilion was the latest in a string of dangerous incidents.

“Locals are very worried whether this marks a permanent change in the character and identity of the area that they once loved,” he said.

“Burleigh traders have had an absolute gutful.

“ ... They want to see a marked increase in police presence in the Burleigh village, but they know nothing will change unless the government changes.

“We’re not seeing our hard-working police properly supported.”

Police investigations into the incident are continuing.

Follow @keithjwoods

Originally published as Burleigh Pavilion fire: Police investigate arson attack