Gold Coast crime: Police charge man, 44, with arson over Bundall brothel fire

Police have made a major breakthrough in their investigation into a fire which destroyed a Gold Coast brothel - charging a man with arson.

POLICE have made a major breakthrough in an arson investigation, charging a man over a fire that destroyed a Gold Coast brothel.

Emergency services were called to Silks on Upton at Bundall on November 10 last year to find the bordello engulfed in flames in the early hours of the morning.

It was about 30 minutes after the venue had closed for the day.

The venue had recently undergone a $100,000 renovation in the lead up to the fire.

Detectives on Thursday charged a 44-year-old Clear Island Waters man with arson.

DPolice have renewed their appeals for information into the alleged arson of a brothel, following the arrest of a Gold Coast man. Picture: Handout via NCA NewsWire

Police allege he was one of two men who arrived at the business before setting the entrance to the building ablaze.

No one was inside at the time.

A second man remains on the run.

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn, of Gold Coast police, said: “This has been an exhaustive and lengthy investigation.

“We’ve poured extensive resources into it because of the seriousness of the alleged offending. It had the potential to hurt, or even kill someone in that area on the night.

The dramatic incident was captured on CCTV. Picture: Handout via NCA NewsWire

“We treat these sorts of offences extremely seriously and we will go all lengths that we can to resolve them.

“We know there is also still a second offender who is also outstanding and we appeal to any member of the public who may have any information in relation to the identity of that person to come forward and contact Crimestoppers or police.”

The man is due to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow, Friday September 10.

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