Police treating CBD Caravella Backpackers fire as suspicious

Police are treating the fire at a popular Cairns CBD backpackers as suspicious.

QUICK-THINKING neighbours and hostel management helped avoid a disaster on Saturday after a fire began in a room of the Caravella Backpackers, which police are now treating as suspicious.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the room was “fully engulfed” upon the arrival of firefighters, and there was no one there at the time.

She said police were treating the fire as suspicious.

“Police investigations are still ongoing and we’re appealing for anyone that has information to come forward. A forensic analysis is still being completed.”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Inspector Southern Command Craig Nolan said firefighters were called to reports of smoke issuing from the top floor of Caravella Backpackers at about 7.30pm on Saturday night.

He said that upon arrival, the backpackers was fully evacuated and there were no reports of anyone missing.

Neighbouring Bagus Cafe was also evacuated in the middle of dinner service.

“Firefighters made entry to a single room on the top floor where they contained a fire pretty rapidly to one location,” Insp Nolan said.

A number of onlookers and evacuees gathered outside on the Esplanade, where the street was blocked off by fire trucks and an ambulance.

He thanked the fast-acting, quick notification emergency services received from nearby residents, and the rapid manner in which on-site management evacuated everyone from the building.

“(That was) well done on their part.”

Caravella Backpackers owner, former A-League football player Zenon Caravella declined to comment.

Originally published as Police treating CBD Caravella Backpackers fire as suspicious