Gladstone Police investigating suspicious fire in toilet block of Night Owl Centre on Dawson Rd

A fire which started in the infants change rooms of a Gladstone shopping centre on Thursday has prompted authorities to call for the public’s assistance. Here’s what we know.

A suspicious fire which began in the infants changing rooms of a Gladstone shopping centre has caused significant damage, with police declaring a crime scene a short time later.

About 10.30am Thursday, emergency services were called to the Night Owl Centre, otherwise known as the Gladstone Central Shopping Centre, following reports of a fire.

Crews remained on scene at the West Gladstone complex until 1.30pm when Queensland Fire and Emergency Crews declared the fire risk was over, shortly after police declared a crime scene.

The fire began in the toilet blocks of the Dawson Rd centre and while it was a small fire it is understood there has been extensive damage.

The toilet block, which is located in the underground carpark beneath Spotlight, is closed off to the public but the rest of the complex remains open.

Nearby shopkeepers heard the fire alarm and were told to evacuate just after 10.30am Thursday.

Staff were unable to return to their shops until about two and a half hours after the evacuation.

One shopkeeper said the fire was barely noticeable had it not been for the evacuation and the sirens from emergency services vehicles shortly after.

“We barely noticed it from up here, but after we were allowed back a colleague went down to the basement car park and the smell was still very strong,” they said.

Gladstone detectives are currently investigating the suspicious fire and no-one has been charged in relation to the incident.

A police media spokeswoman said there were multiple persons of interest, including potential juvenile offenders.