Cheryl and Brendan Gillbee lose cars, caravan in Landsborough shed fire

A Sunshine Coast couple are devastated and distraught after losing a vintage car they’d spent 13 years building, their beloved caravan and more in a raging shed fire caused by a charging battery.

Cheryl and Brendan Gillbee lose cars, caravan in Landsborough shed fire

A Sunshine Coast couple are devastated and distraught after losing a vintage car they’d spent 13 years building, their beloved caravan and more in a raging shed fire caused by a charging battery.

Cheryl and Brendan Gillbee’s shed was burnt down at the their Landsborough property on Wednesday.

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said five crews were called to the scene of the double garage fire on Woodwood Rd at 12.40pm.

She said the shed was 10m by 10m and fully engulfed by fire.

The QFD spokeswoman confirmed investigations had found a charged power tool battery had likely caused the fire.

Mrs Gillbee was at home inside when she heard an explosion.

She ran outside to find the shed catching fire. She called triple-0 and tried to push a car to safety but was unable to.

Landsborough shed fire. Picture – contributed.

The couple’s daughter, Deanne Gillbee, said her parents were heartbroken.

“They lost everything they worked so hard for,” she said.

“In just moments, years of dedication and dreams were reduced to ashes.

“My parents are the kind of people who would give the shirts off their backs to help anyone in need. They have always been the first to show up when someone needed a hand, never expecting anything in return, now they find themselves on the other side, in need of help they never imagined needing.”

Their daughter has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help them rebuild their lives.

“The shed wasn’t just a place where dad stored things, it was where my dad, a passionate car enthusiast, poured over 13 years into building his pride and joy, a mint-condition SLR 5000,” Deanne said.

The SLR 5000 car lost in the fire. Picture – contributed.

“It was more than a car to him; it was an investment for their future and a symbol of his hard work.

“This car had only just hit the road for the first time earlier this year, making its debut at my brother’s wedding, a massive moment of pride for my dad.

“Also lost in the fire was their recently restored caravan, a project my parents had devoted countless hours to, planning to use it for their future travels in retirement.”

Two more cars, work tools and more were also lost in the fire.

Unfortunately they did not have insurance.

“Now they face the daunting task of cleaning up and rebuilding,” their daughter said.

“While I am incredibly thankful my parents are safe, my heart breaks for the loss of everything they have spent years working towards.

“I know these things are replaceable, but the memories and dreams tied to them are not.”

Originally published as Cheryl and Brendan Gillbee lose cars, caravan in Landsborough shed fire