DeNiro’s Italian kitchen and bar restaurant fire two weeks after attempted arson attack

A Gold Coast restaurant and bar has erupted in flames for the second time in a fortnight, with police revealing what their investigation focus will be. See the video

Police probing a second suspicious fire-related incident in a fortnight at a Gold Coast restaurant will “scrutinise” everything from disgruntled customers to competitors.

Police were called to DeNiro’s kitchen and bar in Hope Island around 4.15am on Friday where a fire had taken hold of the outside of the building.

Emergency services were met with a strong smell of petrol and an abandoned jerry can on the footpath outside.

It comes two weeks after same business was the target of an attempted arson on May 17, when a man entered the restaurant shortly before 11pm and poured an accelerant on the floor and attempted to set it alight.

Detectives from the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch were now looking for possible links between the two incidents.

A police source close to the investigation said officers would also speak with DeNiro’s director, and former drag racer John Cannuli, as part of their inquiries.

“We will have to scrutinize everything, that’s just a natural part of any investigation of this nature,” the officer said.

“You have to remain open to any and all possibilities. That could be anything from disgruntled customers, possible business competition, there’s many things that have to be taken into consideration.

“It’s important that the community know there is certainly no indication of any greater threat or risk to them.”

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by John Cannuli.

John Cannuli at DeNiro's restaurant.

Officers declared a crime scene at the restaurant on Friday morning, and at 9am, detectives took a CCTV box from inside the business. They said they were in the process of reviewing footage from other businesses in the complex.

The neighbouring business, Fit Stop gym - operated by Kirsten Tucker, wife of DeNiro’s director John Cannuli - shared a post to social media to notify members morning classes were cancelled.

A security officer said he was on patrol when he smelt smoke coming from the car park.

“As I’ve started walking over it (fire) went boom – an explosion,” the man said.

“This bloke come running from there (restaurant) and jumped in a little white car and sped off.

“I started trying to put it out.”

A petrol jerry can was left sitting out the front of the business.

Fire fighters used an angle grinder and metal bars to smash their way into the building.

Complex worker Anita Perry said it was “gut wrenching” to see the destruction caused by the fire.

“It’s great food. The owner and staff are good people, wonderful people truly,” Ms Perry said.

“To have them (fires) so close to each other makes your stomach turn. Why? What is the point of this?”

Paramedics were called to the scene and remained on standby until they were stood down at 6am.

DeNiro’s kitchen and bar up in flames two weeks after attempted arson attack. Photo: Charlton Hart

A jerry can left outside the restaurant on Friday morning. Photo: Charlton Hart

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the fire or has dashcam footage to contact them at 131 444.

The blaze came just days after liquidators revealed a company behind the restaurant had debts of more than $53,000.

Liquidator Chris Cook of Worrells said more creditors of the company had come forward with suppliers and utility companies so far claiming more than $53,000.

Subcontractors and tradies who fitted out a lounge bar at the premises were left out of pocket in the liquidation of DeNiro’s Kitchen and Wine Bar on April 2.

Despite the court-ordered liquidation, DeNiro’s had continued to trade under a different company.

The liquidator said DeNiro’s had operated across two separate tenancies, with one part of the premises used as a bar area separate from the restaurant.