Boronia Heights, Logan, businesses destroyed in huge blaze

Business owners of a popular Logan retail precinct engulfed by flames overnight claim someone was caught on camera trying to light a fire in the area.

Owners of four businesses in a popular Logan retail precinct have been left devastated after it was engulfed by flames overnight.

Emergency services were called about 1.15am on Friday, June 16, after reports that four adjoining businesses on Fredrick St, Boronia Heights were ablaze.

Authorities said the fire started about 15 minutes earlier and say arsonists may be to blame.

It was initially believed the fire might have started in the kitchen of one of the restaurants, however police have not ruled out potential arson.

Numerous shops destroyed and damaged by fire overnight in Frederick Street, Boronia Heights. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A friend of the family which owns Tobacconist Vapes and Gifts — which was one of the businesses destroyed by the flames — alleged there had previously been video of someone trying to light a fire in the complex.

“We’ve seen from the previous videos they probably broke the glass and threw some petrol on the side and lit it up,” the friend said.

Four shops were gutted and would be closed for the foreseeable future.

They were: Max Support Services (an NDIS provider); a tobacconist; popular Chinese restaurant Rainbow Mandarin Buffet; Gothic Realm Tattoo & Barber.

The fire reached the building’s ceilings and one roof section collapsed.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the fire was extinguished by 4am.

Emergency services were called out about 1.15am on Friday following reports that four adjoining businesses on Fredrick St, Boronia Heights, were ablaze. Picture - Georgie Walker

Owner of Gothic Realm Tattoo & Barber Valerie Eileen Denney also alleged someone had been caught on camera trying to light a fire on two occasions including early this morning.

“They attempted yesterday to burn it down, and they got it on camera, and it didn’t work. So it was a skip-and-miss.

“It looked like they got spooked on camera as they went to light it and bolted, and then they tried again last night, and it worked for them.”

Numerous shops destroyed and damaged by fire overnight in Frederick Street, Boronia Heights. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Omar Egalhssan, whose brother operates Max Support Services (NDIS provider) said there had been allegedly been concerning incidents at the complex before this morning’s events.

“I’ve heard something along the lines of this isn’t the first time it’s happened. I’ve heard that someone has tried to burn it down or break into the shop before in the past multiple times, and this has obviously occurred before,” Mr Egalhssan said.

“But we didn’t really think much other than it being kids trying to mess around the place. We didn’t think this sort of damage would ever occur.

“By the looks of it, from outside, it (Max Support Services) doesn’t look damaged, but from the side of the building, we can tell there’s been a fire inside.”

Numerous shops destroyed and damaged by fire overnight in Frederick Street, Boronia Heights. Valerie Eileen Denney, owner of Gothic Realm Tattoo & Barber. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Ms Denney, who has operated Gothic Realm Tatoo & Barber for the past three of its 36 years in business, said she was now looking towards the future.

“So that’s what happened – we’ve been burnt down. But on the positive side, we are going to move on to the next (location),” Ms Denney said.

“We’ve been offered by another real estate another replacement (shop) to go to. So we will be up and running in no time.

“It’s just sad. I feel sorry for the Chinese shop and the actual owner of the building.

“I’m just looking at the positive side.”

Owner Gothic Realm Tattoo & Barber, Valerie Eileen Denney, and tattooist, Taiarirobinson Clough. Photo by Georgie Walker.

A tattoo artist working at Gothic Realm, Taiarirobinson “T” Clough, said he found out about the fire during an early morning call from a friend.

“It’s just sh-t,” Mr Clough said.

“Now we have to start again.

“I went to get my first tattoo from here at 16.”

Other nearby buildings, including homes, were not affected by the fire although some had power outages.

Adjoining childcare centre Kid’s Clubhouse Learn and Play Centre was forced to close this morning because they had no water or electricity.

The owner of the childcare centre, Jennifer Kinsella, said it caused some families trouble early this morning as children could not be dropped off.

It is understood police were investigating whether arson was involved, but were not ruling anything else out until investigations were completed.

Investigators appealed to anyone with information or relevant vision of the area to contact police.

Contact Policelink by providing information anonymously at: www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.