Spicers resort devastated by afternoon fire
NEARLY 100 people had to be evacuated after a fire tore through the iconic Spicers Hidden Vale resort at Grandchester on Saturday afternoon.
Queensland Police have declared the cause of the blaze is not suspicious, with a “combustion event” in the restaurant ceiling believed to be the ignition point.
Fire crews were able to contain the blaze to the restaurant and reception areas, with the accommodation and other facilities undamaged.
They extinguished the fire just before midnight.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Service investigators attended the scene yesterday.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said all 77 guests and 18 staff were evacuated and were accounted for, and that SES workers provided blankets for the elderly as the fire was brought under control.
Hidden Vale is the flagship property in the Spicers group of eight resorts, owned by Flight Centre founder Graham Turner and his wife Jude.
“The restaurant has burnt down,” Mr Turner said.
“All I know is there was some sort of combustible event in the kitchen ceiling.
“There was no one hurt thank goodness and 90 per cent of the property is still in tact.”
The restaurant is part of the homestead built in the 1930s when the original building was lost in a blaze.
In a post on Facebook, Spicers Group said they would rebuild and be “up and running ASAP”.
“Fortunately we have a range of facilities at the retreat. Thank you to our guests and team, our community and to the local and state fire brigades.”