Owners of Sundoo Restaurant on Charters Towers Rd speak after fire

The owners of a Townsville institution have spoken out, after their restaurant caught alight on Monday afternoon. WHAT THEY SAID >

Photographs from the scene of a burning restaurant in Hermit Park. Picture: Nikita McGuire

The owners of a Townsville institution have spoken out, after their restaurant caught alight on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to Sundoo Chinese Restaurant on Charters Towers Road, which has been open for more than 50 years, after reports of “gas bottles on fire”.

Crews attended and battled the flames and smoke, with adjoining businesses and residential properties also evacuated.

No was injured.

Saying the restaurant is now closed “indefinitely”, the owners expressed their sadness on Facebook on Monday night, thanking the community for their “overwhelming love, support and kind messages.”

“All of our staff are safe, and for that, we are incredibly grateful,” the post said.

“Your words mean more to us than we can express”.

Police advised on Tuesday morning investigations into the blaze are ongoing.

EARLIER:

Queensland Fire Department crews from Townsville have responded to a fire at a restaurant in Hermit Park.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said initial reports were of a “gas-related fire” although there had been no reports of any injuries.

Queensland Police Service are also on scene.

Photographs from the scene of a structure fire in Hermit Park on Monday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

The unfolding incident is occurring on the corner of Charters Towers Rd and Armstrong Street.

Speaking at the scene, Acting Inspector Matthew Lyons said just before 1pm on Monday afternoon emergency services received a call in regards to gas bottles that were on fire at the Sundoo Chinese restaurant.

“Queensland Fire Department responded quite quickly and has discovered two gas bottles at the rear of the premises on fire. They have extinguished the fire from the gas bottles,” he said.

“Unfortunately the fire and the flames have spread to building proper.”

Photographs from the scene of a burning restaurant in Hermit Park. Picture: Supplied

The restaurant, which is over 50 years old, recently sold in December 2024.

Acting Inspector Lyons said crews were working to suppress the flames with a small fire still ongoing in the ceiling.

“Adjoining businesses to this location have self-evacuated across the road,” he said.

It is believed that no one was inside the restaurant at the time of the fire.

“The adjoining building had numerous people, employees, members of the public using those businesses and they have self-evacuated out of harms way,” Mr Lyons said.

“At this point in time there are no persons injured as the result of the fire.”

Photographs from the scene of a structure fire in Hermit Park on Monday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

Emergency services advised parts of Charters Towers Rd and Armstrong Street have been closed to traffic and will continue to be closed until it is deemed safe.

QFS have advised they will remain on scene until the fire has been extinguished.

The Criminal Investigation Branch from Townsville will attend the scene to investigate whether the fire is suspicious or not.

Photographs from the scene of a structure fire in Hermit Park on Monday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

More to come.

Originally published as Owners of Sundoo Restaurant on Charters Towers Rd speak after fire