Townsville police declare crime scene after Kings Rd, Pimlico duplex blaze

Townsville police have declared a crime scene following a blaze at an unoccupied highset duplex in Pimlico. Find out the latest.

Before and after images of a highset duplex on Kings Rd, Pimlico that caught on fire on Sunday evening. Picture: Supplied.

Police have declared a crime scene at a highset duplex property in Pimlico following a blaze on Sunday.

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said they were first alerted to the fire at a Kings Rd property at 6.05pm, with a total of five fire crews attending the scene.

Smoke was pouring from the building when they arrived, but fortunately it was unoccupied at the time.

Neighbours were evacuated and the fire extinguished, before the property was handed back to Queensland Police at 8pm.

A QPS spokeswoman said their initial investigations suggested that the fire may have started when a mattress on the lower level was set alight.

The fire did significant damage to one of the units.

A high-set duplex on Kings Rd, Pimlico caught on fire on Sunday evening. Picture: Supplied.

An unoccupied property at Kings Rd, Pimlico, was impacted by a fire Sunday evening. Picture: Leighton Smith.

There was no electricity or water connected to the house at the time, and no injuries reported.

Police have launched an investigation, and scientific officers were expected to attend on Monday.

Residents discussing the incident on social media said the property had been vacant for several years, saying that it had been used by squatters in recent times.

Police were seen guarding a crime scene on Monday following a fire at a Kings Rd property on Sunday evening. Picture: Leighton Smith.

A property search revealed that it was owned by ABIS Housing Community Co-operative Society Ltd – a provider of accommodation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons who are unable to or find difficulty in obtaining accommodation through mainstream channels.

ABIS Housing Community Co-operative Society chief executive Jan Pool said their not-for-profit organisation’s choice to remain independent from government influence on decision making, and from operational and capital funding, brought challenges, particularly regarding the raising of sufficient capital to upgrade or refurbish ageing properties.

An unoccupied property at Kings Rd, Pimlico, was impacted by a fire Sunday evening. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“Over the past 5 years, ABIS has elected to sell properties to then reinvest in the refurbishment of its ageing property portfolio. Kings Rd is the only property not occupied and unfortunately due to significant cost, remains undeveloped,” Ms Pool said.

“ABIS had submitted an expression of interest for grant funding last year under the Housing Investment Fund to develop this property. Unfortunately, while we made it to the last round of evaluation, we were not successful, despite the proposed multi-dwelling development that would see our housing waiting list reduced by 15.

“We currently have 87 families/individuals on our waiting list, most of whom are living in overcrowded residences. We will continue to advocate and raise funds to develop this property.”

Anyone with information or CCTV is urged to contact police or Crimestoppers quoting QP2402153813.

Originally published as Townsville police declare crime scene after Kings Rd, Pimlico duplex blaze