Cairns North house used by squatters destroyed by raging blaze
A huge block of land on a prime Cairns North corner is back on the market after an old Queenslander frequented by squattersburnt to the ground on Wednesday.
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A huge block of land on a prime Cairns North corner is back on the market after an old Queenslander frequented by squatters burnt to the ground on Wednesday.
Emergency services were called to the Charles St blaze at 3.21pm and arrived at the scene to find the two-storey building consumed by fire.
The house was unoccupied when the fire broke out, a Queensland Fire Department spokesman said but reports from nearby residents suggest the building has been inhabited by itinerants since 4B Charles St became vacant in March after the property sold to SCHF Pty Ltd.
The Queensland-based development group at the same time acquired 4 and 4A Charles St and 214-216 Lake St in the same deal.
Building Approvals for demolition works had been lodged with Cairns Regional Council which were in progress when the fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon.
Tony Williamson from Harcourts Property Centre said new owners had plans to build a residential tower on the 2025sq/m site but had now listed the combined titles for sale.
“It’s a private consortium of Brisbane investors and they had good intentions for the site but just in the last couple of weeks I suppose their priorities changed,” he said.
“Depending on council approvals, you can (build) 14 storeys here.”
Mr Williamson said speculation there were plans to build a carpark were false.
On Wednesday images of the blaze revealed flames shooting out of the top floor windows and the next day it was clear from the charred remains of the highset timber house built in 1950, that the building had been destroyed.
It’s understood squatters had made such a mess of the house that demolition crews had to wear protective suits before entering the building due to the stink caused by human faeces that had piled up in the bathtub.
No patients needed treatment at the scene of the fire, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.
According to property records, SCHF Pty Ltd acquired the house for $640,000 from the previous owner, who had held the dwelling for 22 years.
The blaze is the second incident in Cairns North involving an empty house and follows the destruction of the late Dr Lesley Westaway’s former family home in July last year.
No development applications have yet been lodged with council for the Charles and Lake street properties at this time.
Originally published as Cairns North house used by squatters destroyed by raging blaze
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