Sunshine Coast police start arson probe following Bli Bli fire

Police are investigating whether the alleged torching of a stolen Range Rover was an attempt to destroy evidence after an impoundment facility blaze caused $100,000 damage.

Police are investigating whether the alleged torching of a stolen Range Rover at a Bli Bli police vehicle impoundment facility was an attempt to destroy evidence.

Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said it was believed two people scaled the fence surrounding the facility, located within another business, and had poured accelerant on the vehicle before setting it alight.

The Range Rover had been previously reported stolen and was being store at the Bli Bli facility after being recovered, he said.

The vehicle was destroyed in the blaze which caused about $100,000 worth of damage to the facility.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said it was a “reasonable assumption” the blaze was an attempt to destroy evidence, but there was no further information to confirm this was the motive.

Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Craig Mansfield.

“We are still investigating,” he said.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in the police impoundment facility, located within another business, about 10.50am on June 4 on Bli Bli Rd, in Bli Bli.

It was initially reported as a car on fire in a shed.

“That vehicle had been reported as stolen previously and recovered and was being stored there,” Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.

“But investigations are continuing around the circumstances and if that vehicle was the intended target.”

The detective said officers were reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation.

On June 4, a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman said five fire crews were at the scene of the blaze and were assessing the extent of the damage.

A business has a $100,000 damage bill and police continue an arson investigation after a vehicle in a car holding facility was torched.

A witness who filmed the incident said she was driving to work and saw the smoke and flames billowing so she pulled over and heard multiple explosions.

She said she was first on the scene and phoned triple-0.

The video captures plumes of thick black smoke rising from the facility.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were called but no one needed treatment.

Anyone with information should contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast police start arson probe following Bli Bli fire