Thick smoke triggers fire alarm and evacuation at Peninsula Apartments Surfers Paradise

Thick smoke inside a Surfers Paradise unit tower has triggered a fire alarm and forced residents to evacuate. Read the latest.

Firefighters on scene at a reported unit fire in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Charlton Hart.

Thick smoke has filled part of a Surfers Paradise apartment tower, forcing guests to evacuate as multiple fire crews respond.

A Queensland Fire Department (QFD) spokesman said the automatic fire alarm was triggered at the Peninsula Apartments on Clifford St shortly after lunchtime on Friday.

Up to five crews began responding to the reported structure fire, with the first arriving on scene within minutes.

Occupants of the building were forced to evacuate from the smoke. Picture: Charlton Hart.

Three fire crews remained at the scene on Friday afternoon. Picture: Charlton Hart.

According to the QFD spokesman, a paper plate had been left in proximity to a cooking element causing smoke to begin filling part of the premises.

There was no fire involved.

A specialist scientific crew attended the premises. Crews ventilated the property and were continuing to monitor the air quality in the building at about 1pm on Friday.

No injuries were reported.