Mastertint Burleigh Heads owner Jack Jenkins devastated as business of 27 years torched
The owner of a Gold Coast business which went up in flames in suspicious circumstances has confirmed it was an arson attack. Watch the video
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The owner of a Gold Coast tinting business which burnt down in suspicious circumstances has confirmed his warehouse was targeted by arsonists.
Emergency services were called to the commercial unit on Newcastle Street, Burleigh Heads shortly after 4am on Tuesday as the property went up in flames.
Mastertint warehouse owner Jack Jenkins said on Wednesday: “Words can’t express the heartbreak that I have – I can’t sleep.
“It was definitely arson. My mind is going over, who could it be? Will they do it again? Was it directed at me or someone else? We just don’t know.”
A crime scene was established following the blaze and detectives from Burleigh Heads Criminal Investigations Branch spent the day sifting through the rubble.
Mr Jenkins said he was devastated when reviewing his CCTV, which captures the moment a white car pulls-up outside the premises just before the fire takes hold.
“One driver, two males, hit the window with a sledgehammer,” he said.
“Ran right in with a 20 litre jerry can. Ran around the workshop with the fuel, put it everywhere.
“Literally made a trail outside – lit it up and took off.”
It was less than 60 seconds by the time the offenders got inside, to the the time that the blaze broke out.
Nearly three decades of hard work for the family business up in flames, he said.
Mr Jenkins added there were no vehicles belonging to customers in the workshop at the time and nothing was stolen.
“In 27 years I’ve had nothing but five-star reviews. We have no idea why we were targeted.”
The Mastertint business will remain operating out of the Burleigh Heads complex after relocating to a vacant unit next door.
Mr Jenkins said he hoped to reopen the doors to customers on Thursday.
“We’re just gobsmacked at how ugly the Gold Coast has become. It’s so sad to see this type of crime – there’s just these grubs around.”
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the fire was being treated as “suspicious” and investigations were continuing.