Supercars driver Declan Fraser ‘lost everything’ in Gold Coast fire

Supercars driver Declan Fraser has opened up about the devastating blaze that tore through a Gold Coast home on the weekend, destroying his possessions including trophies.

A well involved fire at a luxury Hope Island home on the Gold Coast has broken out on Saturday.

Supercars driver Declan Fraser has opened up about the devastating blaze that tore through a Gold Coast home on Saturday, destroying his posessions including prized trophies.

It comes as police revealed a motorbike under repair is believed to have sparked the ferocious fire.

Declan Fraser driving the Brad Jones Racing Chevrolet Camaro on Saturday, during practice for the Bathurst 1000. His home was gutted by fire the same day. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Fraser was racing at Bathurst on Saturday when the blaze destroyed the Hope Island property, which was the home of close family friends with whom he had been living since he moved to the Gold Coast.

He took to social media on Monday to express his sadness about the fire and gratitude for support.

“I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone for their support over the last 24hrs,” he posted.

“It has been an incredibly challenging couple of days with what has happened back home and what has been lost. I’d like to extend my deepest condolences to the Gould family who have lost everything in the fire.

Bathurst 2024 co-driver Declan Fraser.

“They gave me a place to live when I made the move back to Gold Coast and I am forever grateful. Everything can be replaced I’m just so thankful everyone is safe.

“Thank you again everyone.”

The sprawling five-bedroom home on Boykambil Esplanade North went up in flames just before midday on Saturday, with the occupants scrambling to safety before calling Triple 0.

Firefighters managed to save the two adjoining properties, but sadly nothing remained of the sprawling five-bedroom home.

Onlookers described it as “absolutely frightening”.

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon of Gold Coast police on Monday said a motorcycle being worked on in the home’s garage was believed to have been the culprit.

“The fire is deemed non-suspicious, we think it started in the garage, possibly a motorcycle that was being worked on,” he told media on Monday.

“The house was completely destroyed. It was a very, very quick and hot fire.

“The fire service did an amazing job limiting the damage to the neighbouring houses because it was a significant fire.”

A well involved fire at a Gold Coast home has broken out on Saturday.

Supt Hanlon said two people in the house were evacuated and were treated for smoke inhalation by paramedics at the scene.

“Thankfully that was the only extent of their injuries,” he said.

Supercars insiders on Sunday said Fraser “lost everything” in the fire.

“Yesterday when Andre Heimgartner was doing his shootout, on the Gold Coast Declan’s house was burning down – quite literally – so he’s lost everything,” Commentator Neil Crompton said on Sunday.

“His dad spoke to me this morning … all of his trophies are gone. He’s asked how we might be able to be in a position to buy or replicate them. He hasn’t even got clothes.”

A day on from the tragic house inferno only a frame and ashes remained.

One user posted to Facebook: “That is so sad, imagine all the irreplaceable items. It’s heartbreaking.”

The fire gutted the waterfront home. Picture: QAS

“Disaster day trippers” had earlier been slammed for impeding rescue crews rushing to the scene of the house fire at one of the Gold Coast’s most exclusive suburbs.

Fire and ambulance crews rushed to the scene, but were delayed by “rubberneckers” who had choked nearby roads to stop and take photos and videos.

Fire crews took almost two hours to contain the blaze which virtually destroyed the waterfront home, which sold last year to an investment company for more than $1.8 million.

The three occupants of the home were treated for minor injuries at the scene, but none were transported to hospital.

However, some were quick to point out the delays faced by emergency responders due to traffic clogging the area.

“Emergency services are being delayed by idiots rubbernecking across Hope Island bridge,” wrote Michael Feighan on the Hope Island News & Crime and Community Facebook page.

“(They) continue to impede emergency services vehicles out sightseeing.

“Hopefully no one is injured.”

“Have a look at the photos people are putting up … can’t believe they aren’t embarrassed for their own behaviour,” wrote Bobby Cheetham on the same Facebook page.

“Stood outside someone’s burning house ‘oooh I better take a photo for those Facebook likes’.”

Originally published as Supercars driver Declan Fraser ‘lost everything’ in Gold Coast fire