Gold Coast brothel Silks in Bundall set on fire arson attack - CCTV video released

Police have released dramatic CCTV footage showing the moment arsonists set the Silks brothel in Bundall alight. SEE THE VIDEO

POLICE have released shocking CCTV showing an arson attack on the Silks brothel at Bundall last year in a renewed push to crack the case.

On November 10, police and emergency services were called to the Upton St business around 4.30am following reports of smoke coming from the building. When police arrived the bordello was engulfed in flames.

The CCTV footage shows two unknown offenders arriving at the Upton Street address in a silver Honda sedan before they set the entrance to the building ablaze. The car has not yet been found. 

Detectives on Wednesday appealed to anyone who may have information about the offence or dashcam vision of the scene to come forward. In particular, they are seeking assistance from anyone who was driving along Upton St, Racecourse Dr or Crombie Ave between 4am and 4.45am on November 10.

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Police are yet to rule out whether a competing business was behind the arson of a licensed brothel on the Gold Coast.

The Bulletin has previously revealed detectives were investigating whether a competing massage parlour was behind the blaze.

Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said on Wednesday police were yet to find a motive but were keeping an open mind.

“We're exploring a wide range of possibilities including and it's been suggested in the past, competing businesses in that field, also being involved and that's part of our ongoing inquiries,” he said.

Insp Ahearn said the suspected arson didn’t appear to be linked to organised crime.

“We have no information to suggest that (organised crime was involved) . But again, our minds are open to any possibility,” he said.

“This is a serious matter, these two gentlemen go in and set fire to a premises so obviously we're dealing with serious people involved in crime here and again, our options are being left open as to why this matter occurred.”

The vision released by police appears to show one offender catch fire after lighting the blaze.

“...  the prospect of the person, presenting with burns type injuries has been one of the focuses of our investigation. And at this stage we haven't been able to reveal anyone who has gone  and sought treatment for burn so it's it's quite conceivable that the flames only took hold to his outer clothing, and that it did not actually injure the person,” he said.

Anyone with information or footage is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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POLICE are investigating the possibility of a competing massage parlour being behind the suspected arson of a long-running Gold Coast brothel last month.

Emergency services were called to Silks on Upton at Bundall on November 10 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.

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The premises had undergone a $100,000 renovation in the lead up to the 4.30am fire, which police are treating as suspicious.

Flames ripped through the building during the fire two months ago which caused the front of the parlour to collapse.

Silks on Upton is one of a small number of licensed brothels operating on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Luckily, no one was inside the brothel at the time of the incident.

Gold Coast detectives, who are still looking to establish a motive for the arson, have not ruled out the possibility of involvement from a “similar business”, it can be revealed.

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“The Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch is continuing with several lines of inquiry into this suspicious fire,” a police spokeswoman said.

“Detectives are aware there have been rumours circulating of possible involvement from another brothel however, this is only speculation at this time.”

The fire and police probe comes as frustrated licensed brothel owners say the rife illegal sex industry - sexual massage venues masquerading at therapeutic clinics - is cruelling business.
Earlier this week, the Bulletin revealed the Queensland Adult Business Association for licensed operators were driven to hire a private investigator to identify almost 50 illegal massage parlours are operating as brothels in the city.

The Bulletin understands rivalry between parlour operators can be fierce.

The boarded up shell of Silks brothel at Bundall after fire destroyed the premises in November. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Silks owner Katherine Hammond said she and her husband, who bought the business 18 months ago, were unsure when they would reopen because of the extensive damage.

It is understood the building may have to be demolished and rebuilt after smoke and fire ripped through the premises.

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“It is in the hands of the police investigation and until that is complete we are just in a holding pattern,” she said.

“After putting all the time in it is really heartbreaking, especially when our hands are tied with everything going on.”

The boarded up shell of Silks brothel at Bundall after fire destroyed the premises. Picture Glenn Hampson

Online, Silks describes itself as having a “a first-class line up of the finest national and international in-house escorts” which offer a “wide range of services”.

Detectives continue to appeal to members of the public who may have any vision or dashcam in the area at the time of the incident, which could assist their investigations.

Anyone with information can contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.