Tent destroyed by fire at Brisbane homeless camp

A tent has been destroyed by fire at a major tent city in an inner-Brisbane park, with witnesses saying the owner has lost everything.

A fire has destroyed a tent at a major tent city in an inner-Brisbane park.

Emergency services were called to a fire at Musgrave Park, on the corner of Russell St and Cordelia St, just before 11.15am Monday.

On arrival, crews found a tent well engulfed by flames.

A tent was destroyed in the blaze. Picture Reddit

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said the attending crew quickly extinguished the blaze.

“There was a tent on fire and it was quickly put out and brought under control,” the spokesman said.

“The tent was destroyed.”

A man who had been sleeping in the tent said he was out getting a new phone after his had been stolen, when he returned to the site of the destroyed tent.

“I went to get a new phone, by the time I came back here, this is all gone,” he said.

“I was meant to be at the QA Hotel for training this morning and I couldn’t go because all the details were on my old phone.”

The man said he was living in the tent with his mate.

“It was me and my mate’s tent. It was pretty much our hang out area,” he said.

“It had everything in there. I was sleeping right there.

“It’s sh*t, I am going to have to find somewhere else to live.”

A tent went up in flames Monday morning. Picture: Supplied

A resident of the tent city earlier said the man had lost everything.

“That was his home and he has lost everything.”

The Fire Investigation Unit were at the scene this afternoon, as well as staff from Brisbane City Council, and the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Musgrave Park is a popular location for people sleeping rough in Brisbane.

In a controversial move, dozens of people living in tents at the West End park were relocated four weeks out from the Paniyiri Greek Festival earlier this year.

More than 70 people living in tents were placed into temporary accommodation ahead of the festival.

In a statement a Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works spokeswoman said the Brisbane Critical Response Team returned to Musgrave Park following their daily visit, to provide support to the people impacted by the fire.

“The Brisbane Critical Response Team visited Musgrave Park this morning as part of their daily scheduled outreach, and engaged with people who are sleeping in tents, offering temporary accommodation, connection to support services and to continue to work with people to support them with longer-term housing solutions,” the spokeswoman said.

“The team returned this afternoon to attempt to talk with the individual impacted by the fire and offer support.

“Other people present advised the team that the individual is staying with a friend.

“The team will continue attempts to make contact.

“While not all people sleeping in tents want to engage with the team or accept the supports offered, the team continues to regularly visit the park, engage with residents and build rapport.”