Arson investigation underway after fire devastates old Blackbutt bank building

Police have confirmed the destructive blaze which destroyed a building many Blackbutt residents “knew and loved” is officially being investigated as arson.

Police confirmed they have launched an arson investigation into the suspicious fire that gutted the old bank building in Blackbutt on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Police confirmed they have launched an arson investigation into the suspicious fire that gutted the old bank building in Blackbutt on Friday night.

Multiple emergency service crews arrived at the Hart St address just after 7pm following reports of a structure fire.

The building was well alight, but crews managed to stop the flames from spreading to nearby properties.

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said the fire was contained by about 7.50pm and fully extinguished at around 9.45pm.

No evacuations were necessary and no patients were injured in the fire.

The inside of the building was almost completely blackened, with wooden beams exhibiting substantial charring and structural degradation.

Even three days later, the lingering smell of smoke was still strong in the air.

Smashed glass was scattered all over the floor inside the building, as well as around the front where a large, sliding glass door had previously been.

The inside of the building was almost completely blackened, with wooden beams exhibiting substantial charring and structural degradation.

The back of the property seemed to have suffered the most significant damage, with the area near the back stairs visibly burnt from the outside.

The back of the property seemed to have suffered the most significant damage, with the area near the back stairs visibly burnt from the outside.

A nearby neighbour posted on social media that she could hear the fire and see sparks flying from her home.

“Saw the fire from my place, wasn’t sure where it was,” she wrote.

“I’m surprised there’s anything left of the building.

“(I) could hear the crackling and see sparks flying.”

Long time Blackbutt resident, Cheryl, works at Hotel Radnor and saw the fire first-hand on Friday night.

“I was just sitting at the bar with the publican and he noticed it,” she said.

“I turned around and we all went like, ‘oh wow’.”

Hotel Radnor, which is located just a stones throw from the site of the fire, thanked emergency services for their quick response.

“Within minutes of receiving the call, they were on the scene, containing a large fire at the old NAB on Hart Street and preventing it from spreading to neighbouring homes and businesses,” they posted on their Facebook page.

“Your quick action and dedication made all the difference.”

The building was well alight, but crews managed to stop the flames from spreading to nearby properties.

According to locals, the building was not known as a hang out place for young people or to have people squatting in it, even though it had been empty since the owner died a few years ago.

The previous resident, Doctor Robert Tucker, bought the property in 1998 and lived in it until his death.

It was reportedly a doctor’s practice for a number of years, before Mr Tucker turned it into his primary residence.

Before being purchased by Mr Tucker and his family, in the 90s the building was a National Australian Bank.

“We felt compelled to share the facts because it has come to our knowledge that some people have started spreading malicious rumours; such as it was a deliberate fire to claim insurance etc. by the property owners.”

“We ask that you please have some respect as this was once someone’s home, now ruined by fire, not to mention that the building itself holds significant meaning to many locals who knew and loved it as the former NAB bank.”

A CoreLogic property search confirmed Robert and Gail Tucker as the current owners.

Originally published as Arson investigation underway after fire devastates old Blackbutt bank building