Suspicious fire investigation at derelict Ambassador Motel Rockhampton
New security moves have been taken at the derelict Ambassador Motel in North Rockhampton after two suspicious fires destroyed six motel rooms. SEE THE VIDEO
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Fencing has now been installed across the driveway of the abandoned Ambassador Motel in North Rockhampton in an effort to stop trespassing after two suspicious fires destroyed six motel rooms.
The motel has been closed since October 2023 after the property was sold to new owners who had plans to demolish it and build a tool shop.
Since the closure the site has been a target for vandals and looters. This month two fires, February 5 and 6, were investigated by authorities and both are being treated as suspicious.
On Tuesday, February 6, emergency services attended about 10pm to find the upper floor of the building “well involved in fire with a large volume of smoke”.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said multiple crews attended and worked to contain the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.
She said the fire was out by 11.30pm.
The second-storey fire affected four rooms across the wing backing onto Main St.
The day before, on February 5, a member of the public called about 8pm with reports of a fire in one of the rooms.
Up to three Queensland Fire and Emergency Services crews attended and had the fire out within five minutes.
A spokesperson for Queensland Police Service confirmed no one was inside on both occasions.
This fire destroyed two downstairs rooms, number 10 and 11, with smoke and burn marks along the walls, broken windows and a door was pulled from the hinges.
Police are treating both fires as suspicious with investigations continuing.
There is also concerns for the site may contain exposed asbestos because it was built in the 1960s and is known to have a high amount of asbestos throughout its structure.
Rockhampton Regional Council said it had been in contact with the owner.
“Under the Building Act, council enforces rectification of buildings and requirements to fence off sites from the public if it poses a significant risk to public safety,” a spokesperson said.
“Council understands that action is being taken to secure the site.
“Council has been working proactively to deal with this issue.”
Fencing was placed across the Yaamba Road highway entrance on February 8, and a gate across the Main Street entrance.
It is understood police have also been called to the derelict motel numerous times in recent weeks for looting.
MOTEL CLOSURE
The motel has been closed since October 2023 and it has been earmarked for demolition to make way for a tool shop to be built.
A garage sale was held on-site before the closure and much of the furniture, electronics and white goods were sold.
Glass in most of the windows of the 32 rooms and other buildings on both storeys has been smashed, doors broken and many of the motel rooms have been left exposed.
Airconditioners have been pulled from frames and sitting broken on the floors and torn apart outside.
There are also microwaves and chairs strewn around, a fire hose reel pulled from the wall, and rubbish throughout the car park and the pool has been emptied.
The owners of national retail store Sydney Tools purchased the motel in November 2023 for $1.44 million.
A demolition application has not yet been submitted to Rockhampton Regional Council and it is unknown when work will start.
The demolition is expected to be a significant job because of the large amount of asbestos throughout the motel.
A development and investment company with links to rugby league legend Darren Lockyer, SpinksCo Commercial, has been approved by council to build a tool shop on the site.
However, it is now understood SpinksCo Commercial are no longer involved in the project.
Brisbane and Townsville based CASA Building Group were understood to be doing the build but went into administration on Christmas Eve, owing $3.7 million to hundreds of creditors.
The retail showroom building will be constructed along the southern boundary of the site, to be 8.5m high with a 1800 sqm gross floor area, and access would be from both streets, with a 45-space car park.
The plans state all of the motel buildings would be demolished to make way for it.
Sydney Tools have not responded to requests for comment.
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