Victims of Burpengary storage shed fire demand answers before demolition

Residents who lost possessions in a fire at a storage business north of Brisbane last week have gathered at the site, demanding a delay in demolition.

Dozens of emotional Storage King Burpengary customers gathered outside the building on Monday in search of answers as to why a horrific fire last Wednesday destroyed 188 units.

While Queensland Fire Department has ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined, Queensland Police Service has confirmed they are still investigating.

The remains of Burpengary Storage King following the fire. Picture: Tara Croser

It can now be revealed that a further 258 units may have been impacted by smoke or water damage.

Tenants of the building will likely not have answers any time soon, with Storage King assessors determining the site remained too dangerous to access.

A number of people impacted by the Burpengary Storage King fire gathered at the location on Monday. Picture: Tara Croser

Ashton Grohn said herself, along with other tenants, just want to “begin the grieving process properly”.

“There’s so many treasured memories in these units. We should be able to have access. We are still paying tenants,” she said.

“The devastation is beyond words. We’ve been affected in our business and in our personal life. We had our baby photos, our wedding photos, Christmas items, baby items ... all those treasured memories for us. There’s at least 20 to 30 people here this morning that have potentially lost all of their (belongings).

Ashton Grohn has called for better communication from Storage King. Picture: Tara Croser

“We have received generic emails not really giving enough information telling us that demolition will start Monday.

“The last communication from Storage King was on Friday afternoon saying that it’s still under control of Queensland Fire Department.

“We found out it was handed back over to Storage King on Friday.”

The view of the fire from the adjacent Bruce Highway. Picture; Russell Young via Facebook

She said she wants to have more communication from Storage King.

“Having Storage King have people down here physically, having a hotline run out of Melbourne really isn’t good enough,” she said.

“We aren’t a lynch mob. We aren’t trying to cause problems. We aren’t being hostile. It’s very emotional. We are all devastated, we want to move on with our grieving process.”

The site on Monday. Picture: Tara Croser

A Facebook group made by tenants to offer support to one another has grown to more than 300 members in just days.

Speaking about what she had lost, one resident broke down while two other tenants consoled her.

Another woman, who asked for her name not to be published, signed a contract the day before the fire.

This was less than 24 hours before her unit burned down.

“Haven’t even used my keys for the lock I brought. I had 100 photo albums. Haven’t been able to mentally bring myself to come here,” she said.

Ellian Pryce lost her home last year and had most of her belongings in storage. Picture: Tara Croser

Ellian Pryce arrived at Storage King Burpengary on Monday with a paper copy of her contract in hand. Her unit was destroyed in the fire. Ms Pryce told The Courier-Mail she lost her home in November last year and while her grandparents were able to take her in, the majority of her possessions, aside from some winter clothes, were stored at Storage King Burpengary.

“It’s childhood memories ... my aunty’s ashes. Furniture,” she said.

“I found out at about 3.30am the following morning on TikTok. I jumped in my car and flew down here.

“I feel lucky that we have formed a community but it just hurts. I would like for Storage King to just acknowledge us.”

Adam Pringle arrived onsite shortly after 7am. He works in the construction industry and lost more than $35,000 in tools when his unit was destroyed by fire.

“The only reason why we were using Storage King is because we didn’t have a shed in our new property,” he said.

“We lost keepsakes, family memorabilia ... my mum passed away in 2017. She liked lots of spiritual stuff that when she passed away she wanted the kids to have those things.”

He said there has to be accountability.

“I always try to do the right thing and Storage King isn’t doing the right thing by us,” he said.

The annoying part is there is nobody to front us at all and no update since Friday afternoon.”

The remains of the building were set to be demolished, starting Monday. Picture: Tara Croser

In a statement provided to The Courier-Mail, a Storage King spokeswoman said structural engineers and expert assessors have determined it isn’t safe to access the storage facility.

“They have identified the immediate need to brace the awning to minimise the risk of further collapse and the potential for structural damage to the adjoining building. This is likely to happen today and does not constitute the start of a demolition process. The removal of debris from the QPS investigation is occurring today,” the spokeswoman said.

The site last Thursday, after the devastating fire. Picture: Richard Walker

“Storage King will continue to get updates from the engineers and assessors about what can and should happen over coming days to make the site safe again. No demolition will take place until there is clearer picture of the best and safest way forward.

“We totally understand why customers would want to go on site to see for themselves the extent of the damage or try to salvage at least something from the ruins of the fire. We recognise how difficult and frustrating it must be. However, the site is currently extremely hazardous and poses a real risk of injury or death.”

Originally published as Victims of Burpengary storage shed fire demand answers before demolition