Man charged with arson over late-night Ormeau factory fire

Police have charged man with arson after a large fire engulfed a northern Gold Coast factory late on Saturday night.

Smoke seen rising from the building on Saturday night.

Police have charged a man with arson in relation to a large fire which engulfed a northern Gold Coast factory late on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to the Stoddart Group premises on Ormeau’s Lahrs Road at 9.40pm to reports of smoke coming from the roof of the building.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswomen said 16 crews, including senior firefighters attended the blaze, which took well over an hour to be brought under control.

A fire officer at the scene on Sunday. Picture: John Gass.

Just before 11pm crews managed to extinguish the last of the flames and remained at the site until the early hours of Sunday morning cooling hot spots inside the building.

Police said the blaze was believed to be suspicious and established a crime scene at the premises while investigations were conducted.

On Sunday evening they said they had arrested a 53-year-old Yarrabilba man and charged him with enter premises with intent, wilful damage and arson.

It will be alleged by police that the man broke into to the building around 9.40pm on Saturday and damaged a number of electronics and machinery inside.

Police will allege he then used an accelerant to light a fire at the building before leaving the scene.

Police bail was denied and the man is expected to appear before the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday November 13.