Police investigating after man sets fire to Cotswold Motor Inn
The manager of a Toowoomba motor inn says the business will be at half capacity for at least six months after a man set fire to five rooms at the weekend.
Toowoomba
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Half of the Cotswold Motor Inn’s rooms will be out of action for at least six months after they were damaged in a heartless act of arson at the weekend.
The fire was lit inside one of the motel’s rooms about 1.30am on Sunday by a man who police are working to locate.
A spokeswoman for the motel said the fire spread to five rooms, with significant smoke damage to others.
“At least nine rooms are affected,” she said.
“There is a massive amount of damage.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene and arrived to find the rooms on fire.
Paramedics assessed six people, with one woman, aged in her 30s, transported to the Toowoomba Hospital in a stable condition where she was treated for smoke inhalation.
It’s understood all occupants at the motel were able to evacuate themselves and no other injuries were reported.
An arson investigation is under way, led by detectives from the Toowoomba Criminal Branch.
“There have been no arrests yet but we wish to speak to a person who we believe can assist us with inquiries into the fire,” Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said.
In an unrelated matter, Darling Downs Police have also launched an arson investigation after someone set fire to the abandoned National Bank building in Blackbutt.
The fire engulfed the Hart Street structure about 7pm on Friday, but thankfully Queensland Fire Department crews were able to stop the flames from spreading.
The matter is being treated as suspicious.
Anyone with information about either fire is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Originally published as Police investigating after man sets fire to Cotswold Motor Inn
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