Bayside Transformations director speaks out after facility fire

A leader at a lifesaving rehab has revealed the devastating impact of a fire which razed a storage shed full of donated goods as new details also emerge about what may have led to the “suspicious” blaze. NEW VIDEO.

The head of a Hervey Bay rehabilitation centre, which provides life-changing treatments to patients with drug, alcohol and mental health issues, has described the devastating impact of a fire on her team and wider community.

It comes after a shed, packed full of donated goods destined for the op-shop which raises vital funds for the not-for-profit group, was razed by a ferocious fire on Sunday.

For 14 years, Bayside Transformations has been providing a “tough but caring” residential program to countless people who have successfully overcome addictions.

Currently, 32 residents, 22 men and 10 women are living at the organisation’s Pialba campus, with six set to graduate from the 12-month intensive program in March. according to Executive Director Tina Davie.

“With the progress they have made, you would not have recognised those six people from when they first came into the facility 11 months ago”, Executive Director Tina Davie said on Tuesday.

A charity op-shop's storage shed has gone up in flames in an overnight fire. Picture: Bayside Transformations

Providing this program is only possible through three revenue streams, she explained.

“As a charity, we rely on government funding which is beginning to run out, and the generosity of the community to buy from our vegetable garden and op-shop on Torquay Road in Pialba.”

Woken early Sunday morning by a message from a volunteer on Facebook, Mrs Davie “could not believe” what she saw when she arrived at the Charles Street storage shed to find it burnt to the ground.

“We have lost everything, furniture, clothing, and antiques all donated by the community have gone up in flames,” she said

“There is no insurance, as who would insure a second-hand shop, it is all gone.

“Residents and volunteers alike are devasted.”

A charity op-shop's storage shed has gone up in flames in an overnight fire. Picture: Bayside Transformations

Mrs Davie who has been at the helm for 12 years believes it’s unlikely the fire started without intervention.

“There is no way there could have been an internal fire at the facility, as there are simply no electrical circuits in the building,” she said

“We had a neighbour who said she saw youths playing with firecrackers nearby around midnight as well as a cleaner who allegedly witnessed somebody trying to break in on the same night.

“We have reasons to be suspicious about it”.

OP Shop Delivery Operator Lee Tulloch, Executive Director Tina Davie and Op Shop Supervisor Jo Quinn in happier times at Bayside Transformations.

There has been outrage online from many Fraser Coast residents, several of whom have commented on the Chronicle Facebook page.

Alan Ling described the fire as “absolutely devastating”.

Barbara Richardson suggested if and when the offenders are caught “they need to be taken to the rehab and meet the people who are working hard to be free of addiction.”

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said “officers were called at 4.59am on February 11 following reports of a building on fire at Alice Street and Charles Street in Pialba”.

“It is unknown at this stage the cause of the fire; however, we are treating it as suspicious with investigations ongoing,” the statement read.

Those wanting to donate to Bayside Transformations can do so in person at their op-shop on Torquay Road in Pialba.

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Originally published as Bayside Transformations director speaks out after facility fire