Coolum Beach fire: Firefighters called to Birtwill St

Up to six businesses have been damaged after a fire broke out in a popular Sunshine Coast retail strip, which started with reports of smoke coming from a cafe. PHOTOS, VIDEO

An investigation is about to start into the cause of a blaze that saw a beloved Sunshine Coast cafe and other businesses damaged in a fire that began in a storeroom and spread smoke throughout the commercial building.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service’s Peter Pittini said fire crews were called to The Caf on Birtwill St in Coolum Beach about 5.30pm on March 13.

“We responded to reports of white smoke coming from The Caf,” he said.

“When we arrived we did have signs of smoke coming out and smoke damage to all the glass panels in the building.

“We were lucky the owner had arrived on scene and was able to give us keys to gain entry.”

A popular Coolum Beach business, The Caf, and other stores have been damaged in a fire that started in The Caf's storeroom on March 13.

He said firefighters found a fire in the storeroom filled with coffee cups and cardboard.

“The cause of the fire is undetermined at this stage,” Mr Pittini said.

A crowd gathered outside The Caf following the fire on March 13.

A fire spokeswoman said six fire crews rushed to the incident.

“We’ve been doing a lot of ventilation and had confirmation of all fire being out at 6.10pm,” she said.

Mr Pittini said the crews stopped the fire from spreading.

“Due to the construction of the premises being an open ceiling all the way so we’ve had five or six other businesses that have been impacted,” he said.

The firefighter said more monitoring of the building would take place before the business occupants could go into their stores.

The spokeswoman said the cause of the fire was unknown and a fire investigator would go to the scene.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said officers were assisting with traffic control on the busy street.

The street was still closed off about 8.30pm as firefighters continued their work.

The busy thoroughfare has many commercial buildings on it including the Coles shopping complex, takeaway shops, offices and cafes.

The Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the fire was non-suspicious at this stage.

“The fire originated on a shelving container in the storage room of a dry goods place,” the spokeswoman said.

“The fire started about halfway up the shelf and has spread upwards into the roof of the shop.

“Everything was locked and secured, everyone had gone home for the day.

“There were no reports of any suspicious behaviour observed, no signs of breaking or any other suspicious damage.”