Former Big Brother house gutted, children charged with arson
The fire completely destroyed the abandoned reality TV set
Gold Coast
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UPDATE: FOUR children have been charged with arson after the former Big Brother house at Coomera was completely destroyed by fire this afternoon.
It’s alleged six children aged between nine and 15 attended the home on Foxwell Rd and set it on fire about 2.15pm.
The blaze gutted the abandoned reality TV set near Dreamworld.
Witnesses spotted the children running towards Railway Road and police officers found them a short time later, according to Queensland Police.
Four of the children aged between 11 and 15 have been charged with arson and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
Two nine-year-olds “assisted police with their inquiries” and were released.
INITIAL: A GROUP of children have been arrested after the former Big Brother house at Coomera went up in flames.
Firefighters and police were called to Foxwell Rd about 2.15pm today.
The house - the former backdrop of popular reality show Big Brother - was fully alight when emergency services arrived on scene.
Firefighters managed to get the fire under control by about 4pm, but the house was destroyed.
Crews were still on scene about 6.25pm and will be dampening down the remains of the house throughout the night to make sure the fire does not reignite.
Six children aged between nine and 15 were arrested after witnesses spotted them fleeing the scene, said Gold Coast duty officer Senior Sergeant Chris Tritton.
“There’s not believed to be any members of the public inside,” he said.
“But from witnesses we’ve learnt some kids have fled from the area and may have been responsible for lighting the fire.
“The fire brigade have come, (the house) was fully engulfed, and they’ve done their best to put it out before it spread into bushland or anything.”
Snr Sgr Tritton said the children were tracked to Coomera Train Station and arrested.
“We now have a group of six in custody at the moment in relation to the arson of the Big Brother house” Snr Sgt Tritton said.
Charges had not yet been laid.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service sent at least six fire crews to tackle the blaze at the well known television set.
Several security guards at the private property allowed members of the media to speak to police officers briefly before asking them to leave the premises.
Initially, a Coomera resident told the Bulletin plumes of thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the Big Brother home near Dreamworld.
Chicago-based Tony Odinson, along with Aussies Robert Kusch and a silent partner, have had their eyes on the site for three years.
The site’s current owners is Queensland Investment Corporation. They purchased the site from Dreamworld a decade ago.
Last week Mr Odinson told the Bulletin he had been in negotiation with the QIC for more than a year and was expecting to sign a five year lease.
Know more about the fire? Phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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