Rockhampton emergency services respond to vehicle fire in Berserker

A popular business known for helping others in the community is picking up the pieces after a loaded van was allegedly stolen and set alight. UPDATES

A Buddy's Fire van was stolen from the Kawana business and later found burnt out at a park on Elphinstone St.

A Rockhampton businessman says he’s “totally p***** off” after a van was stolen from his workplace, with thousands of dollars worth of equipment inside, and burned to a charred shell.

Now Buddy’s Fire director Michael Hearn is picking up the pieces and dealing with the ripple effect of the vehicle and the damage.

Firefighters raced into action after a small van was “fully engulfed in flames” in a sleepy at Koongal early Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were called to the vehicle fire in Berserker on Elphinstone Street about 2am.

Fortunately, no one was injured.

A Buddy's Fire van was allegedly stolen from the Kawana business and later found burnt out at a park on Elphinstone St.

Mr Hearn said the van was one of two loaded up with first aid kits, fire extinguishers which were meant to be delivered to Barcaldine today.

He received the devastating call from police about 2.30am.

“It was stolen out of my yard, it was parked behind another and they were both meant to go out to Barcaldine this morning,” he said.

“There were four or five orders we were filling to take out to Emerald and Barcaldine.

“We were supposed to send two cars out to Barcaldine this morning and could only send one, it’s a bigger workload for the staff and the other cars were booked.”

Mr Hearn said he’s now been left with a damage bill in the tens of thousands.

“It’s a massive impact, we’re busy constantly,” he said.

Michael Hearn from Buddy's Fire.

“I had to go to DC Motors and order another van because I can’t wait for insurance to come through, so I’m going to be $80,000 or more out.

“I have to reorder the other stuff and it will need to be sent out by courier.”

Mr Hearn said the incident had left him “not happy”.

“I do a lot for this community and I support it a lot,” he said.

“People know me around Rocky for being very generous in what I do; I don’t deserve it.”

Mr Hearn thanked the local police and firefighters for their efforts and help at the scene.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the van had allegedly been stolen from the Chappell St business on June 3 before being left abandoned, unoccupied and set alight.

The spokeswoman said police investigations were ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hours per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or calling 131 444.

Crime can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or reporting online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.