Police release picture of ladder in investigation of Gold Coast commercial complex fire

Gold Coast detectives investigating a suspicious fire at a commercial unit complex have released footage of a ladder which may be able to help crack the case. Have you seen it?

Gold Coast detectives have released a picture of a ladder as part of their investigation into a suspicious fire which engulfed a commercial unit complex.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said officers believe it may be linked to the large blaze which engulfed three businesses at the Varsity Lakes property on June 27.

“Police are appealing to anyone who recognises the ladder or who might have seen it on the back of a vehicle on Scottsdale Drive or Stapley Drive between 5pm and 7.15pm,” the QPS spokesman said.

A ladder police believe is linked to a Varsity Lakes industrial complex fire. Picture: Queensland Police Service.

A whopping 13 fire fighters and eight trucks were on scene battling to bring the blaze under control at Scottsdale Drive, Varsity Lakes.

Burleigh Heads fire station officer Matt Roser said three factories were “well involved” when firefighters arrived late on Thursday.

“Crews were definitely faced with an intense fire,” Mr Roser said.

“The damage that we can see - the steel beams that are bent, goes to show the intensity.”

He said the heat from the large blaze made it hard to save anything in the affected units.

“Our goal is to stop it from spreading to further units,” Mr Roser said.

“The crews did a really good job of containing it to just three factories.”

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said crews were called to the address about 7pm.

The Varsity Lakes commercial precinct is home to GB Designs, Biosota Organics, Burleigh Doors, One Life, SWP, TBC Supplies, Jet Set Plumbing, Earth Crystals and Double E Health Promotion.

A Gold Coast car wrapping business ablaze on Thursday night, with 13 fire crews in attendance

Station Officer Matt Roser spraised the efforts of crew for managing to contain the fire. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Multiple explosion were reported by residents in surrounding suburbs and streets.

Firefighters battled for several hours to bring the inferno under control.

Just after midnight on Thursday, police put out a statement appealing to the public for information “regarding an ongoing fire in Varsity Lakes”.

Some 14 hours after the blaze broke out, an aerial firefighting truck was called in to continue cooling the rubble.

“The nature and intensity of the fire itself has made it hard to access all of the hotspots” Mr Roser said.

Fire investigators spent Friday at the scene taking photos and reviewing CCTV to try and determine the cause of the blaze.

The impacted units are still too dangerous for anyone to enter.

It's believed the blaze started inside GB Designs, owned by ex-motocross racer Grant Bink.

Small flames and a thin trail of smoke could be seen inside the building throughout the day.

Among the ruins is car-wrapping business GB Designs, owned by ex-motocross enthusiast Grant Bink.

It’s believed the fire started at that premises before spreading.

Large sections of the roof have collapsed and the building’s supports have crumbled.

Local business owners claimed to not have seen Mr Bink at the premises for several weeks.

He was unable to be contacted by the Bulletin on Friday and did not return calls.

The fire occurred just two kilometres from where a Burleigh Heads tinting business was burnt down on Tuesday in suspicious circumstances.

It’s believed a group of people smashed their way into the Mastertint store around 4am, dowsing the premises with petrol before setting it alight.

It’s unknown whether there are any links between that blaze at the one at Varsity Lakes on Friday.

Police are appealing to witnesses or anyone who may have relevant vision or information, to come forward. Members of the public are asked to quote reference QP2401089876

Originally published as Police release picture of ladder in investigation of Gold Coast commercial complex fire