Business damaged in fire, Baden Powell St, Maroochydore

An investigation into a blaze at a Sunshine Coast complex, which left business owners unable to access their shops and extensively damaged a “wellness outlet”, has now closed after the blaze was deemed non suspicious.

An investigation into an early-morning blaze inside a Sunshine Coast shopping complex has closed, with police confirming the fire was non suspicious.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said the investigation into the blaze had now closed and a Queensland Police Service spokesman confirmed the fire had been deemed non suspicious.

Emergency services were called out to the blaze on Baden Powell St and Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore at 3.55am.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said that on arrival, multiple crews found a large fire with plumes of smoke.

“We had firefighters go into action with a team wearing breathing apparatus with some high-pressure hose reels there,” the spokeswoman said.

“The fire was extinguished at about 4.30am, with crews now checking for hot spots and ventilating the space.”

Police and fire investigators are at a Maroochydore shopping complex following a fire in the early hours of this morning, February 23. Picture: Iwan Jones

The spokeswoman confirmed that at least one business sustained extensive damage as a result of the blaze.

“The fire was at a commercial property with multiple businesses and the fire was confined to one of those businesses within that commercial property,” the spokeswoman added.

A Maroochydore shopping complex is closed following a blaze overnight. Picture: Iwan Jones

“It was a rather large fire, but it didn’t spread too far, it’s impacted one other business, and the rest of the building sustained smoke damage.”

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service inspector Cameron Herbert arrived at the shopping complex on Friday morning to begin an investigation.

“On arrival, there was heavy smoke issuing from the wellness centre, a tenancy here, they made entry and there was heavy fire inside that tenancy,” Inspector Herbert said.

“They were able to extinguish it fairly quickly, the fire also impinged on the tenancy next door, the disability employment specialists, which they entered there and extinguish the fire there quickly, which was good work from the fire crews.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service inspector Cameron Herbert begins a probe into the fire that destroyed a shop in Maroochydore.

“Unfortunately though, because of the heavy smoke that has actually gone through the whole complex, all the tenancies here have had smoke damage, so that means they have all been deemed unsafe to be entered today by their occupiers.”

A Queensland Ambulance Services spokesman said that paramedics were on standby at the structure fire.

“No patients were treated and no transports were required,” the spokesman said.

A Queensland Police Services spokeswoman said an initial investigation suggested that an electrical fault caused the fire.

“The fire is deemed to be non-suspicious in nature,” the spokeswoman said.

As a result of the blaze, all businesses within the precinct are closed, to allow for ventilation of the premises to take place as a result of smoke damage.

Originally published as Business damaged in fire, Baden Powell St, Maroochydore