Surfers Paradise McDonald’s: Fire breaks out at Cavill Mall fast food restaurant

A fire broke out at one of the Gold Coast’s busiest fast food restaurants on Sunday, sparking a significant emergency services response. FIND OUT MORE

A fire broke out at one of the Gold Coast’s busiest fast food restaurants on Sunday, sparking a significant emergency services response.

Flames were spotted on the third level of the building housing the Cavill Ave Mall McDonald’s around 12.23pm.

The famous golden arches above the building could be seen burning, with smoke visible from several streets away.

The sign on fire. Picture: Supplied

The building was evacuated. Picture: Rosie Gale

Fire crews from the Surfers Paradise station arrived within 12 minutes of the fire breaking out, with a crew of four offices sent in who extinguished the blaze by 12.46pm.

A search of the building is ongoing, with the second level confirmed clear of smoke.

Fire crews remain on scene.

A McDonald’s worker said staff first became aware of the fire at around 12.15pm when a male customer entered the outlet and alerted them, saying, “Your roof is on fire.” Staff and customers quickly evacuated as smoke began pouring from the sign.

QFS station officer Daniel Payne said the cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue.

However he said it might have been caused by an electrical issue linked to water damage in the neon sign following heavy rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“Potentially it is from water damage or water getting into some of these older signs causing electrical issues, however we can’t speculate on that until we find the cause,” he said.

It is the second fire in Surfers Paradise in recent days that has potentially started from a sign.

Gold Coast residents captured the moment a fire ripped through a Surfers Paradise hotel on Friday morning.

Sgt Payne said for a precaution, Energex crews had cut power to the building.

“At this stage the building will be completely isolated – so there will be no power to that building due to the sign being powered electrically.”

QFS station officer Daniel Payne. Photo: Rosie Gale

He praised firefighters for their quick response.

“Crews did an excellent job. We had flame heights of about two to three metres, almost pushing towards the adjacent unit, and they acted quickly to stop the flames,” he said.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about five minutes.

“Everyone was safe – the fire detectors went off – they were working – which also aided in the evacuation.”

At the time of writing, police had cordoned off the area along the Esplanade and police and paramedics remained on-site as firefighters conducted a final sweep of the building.

The fire has attracted a crowd of onlookers. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Surfers Paradise McDonald’s: Fire breaks out at Cavill Mall fast food restaurant