Firefighters battling blaze in Kent Street, Maryborough

Unexploded chemicals and deadly material have made for a volatile fire scene at Maryborough where locals are still reeling from a major flooding emergency. SEE THE UPDATED PHOTOS, VIDEO

The smouldering remains of an old wrecking yard, which went up in flames in the flood-ravaged city of Maryborough on Tuesday night have exposed a deadly risk.

Along with being structurally unsafe, it also contained asbestos.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Harbison confirmed on Wednesday the abandoned building on Kent St, which was suspected to have been housing squatters, was now ‘too dangerous’ to forensically examine and urged the public to keep clear even though the site was no longer a crime scene.

He said this didn’t mean police weren’t treating the fire as suspicious, rather, preliminary evidence suggested it was.

Fire has broken out at the old wreckers yard on Kent Street. PHOTO: Ruby Sharp

“It’s just too dangerous to investigate any further,” he said.

“All fire scenes are inherently very dangerous.

“Lots of sharp things, chemicals that haven’t exploded yet and there’s fires occurring in there still.”

A 46-year-old woman who was on the premises and removed on Tuesday night, is still under investigation.

Mr Harbison expected the site would likely be demolished.

A firefighter on the scene of a blaze in Kent St, Maryborough on Tuesday night. PHOTO: Robyne Cuerel

Police do not yet have any indication as to what started the fire which broke out at the former wreckers 7.15pm Tuesday.

Multiple firefighters and police were on the scene and a crowd of onlookers were watching nearby.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman told the Fraser Coast Chronicle seven crews fought the structure fire, battling the blaze externally and wearing breathing apparatuses and that the fire had burned until 9.45pm.

Emergency crews across the region have been inundated with call-outs since a flooding emergency began to unfold in the city early Saturday.

Emergency services are at the scene of a large fire on Kent Street. PHOTO: Ruby Sharp

The nearby Granville bridge was also subject to urgent work on Tuesday after receding flood waters exposed a wall of debris, damaged gas pipelines and a sinkhole the size of a small car.

The bridge, which had been cut off since Saturday, isolating thousands of residents, reopened about 6pm.

A firefighter on the scene of a blaze in Maryborough. PHOTO: Robyne Cuerel

Kent Street was to be an access point for the bridge but the area near the old wreckers was cordoned off in the wake of the fire.

The yard was still smouldering Wednesday morning. Credit: Robyne Cuerel

Police are appealing for anyone who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area at the time to please come forward.

“Even if it’s just dashcam, send it in to CrimeStoppers. Or if you saw anyone around the area, that would be very beneficial to our investigation,” Det Harbison said.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.