Marina arson attack
Witnesses report item thrown on boat before huge blaze
POLICE are pleading for witnesses to track down a beergutted fire bomber and accomplice after a Gold Coast marina “arson” attack sank two boats and destroyed three others in a giant blaze.
Witnesses claim two people were seen throwing petrol on to one of the boats at Hope Harbour Marina before it was engulfed in flames at John Lund Drive about 11.15pm on Tuesday night.
The fire quickly spread to neighbouring vessels, with another three completely destroyed.
Fanned the blaze by tore gusty winds, through the marina, causing an estimated $1 million damage. Police divers were called in as a “precaution” amid fears there could be bodies in the sunken wrecks, with two owners unable to be contacted.
Multiple fire trucks attended and crews extinguished the blaze at 12.40am.
A Queensland Fire Service spokeswoman said evacuations were conducted in the area. No one was injured.
Police investigating fire said the motive was unknown.
Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said: “It’s too early in the investigation to speculate on a motive, and that will form a part of our inquiry.
“We believe it is two men, the still one is described as caucasian, heavy set with a beer gut and long, dark hair.
“The other person we believe is a male, only described as wearing a maroon hoodie pulled up over his head.
“They were a matter of metres away from the boat that they threw this item on to. They threw it from the walking area where the boat is boarded.
“We believe they have scaled that fence to gain access to the area.”
People from nearby properties and boat owners have been spoken to, but police had not spoken to the owner of the boat that was the target of the attack.
A local musician, who goes by the name Bobby Blue and lives a couple of houses down from the scene, said he was playing guitar and enjoying TV around 11pm when he heard two bangs. “I thought it was coming from my balcony, I rushed and grabbed two knives,” he said.
The resident was shocked when he saw fire outside his house and his knives were soon replaced with a hose.
“The fire from the boats was blowing back towards the houses, I was ready if any of it came into my property,” he said. “The fire service got here quick but every time they got one boat under control the blaze would hit the other boat. It went on for hours until I fell asleep.”
Another local resident, Jill Elliott, said he heard “banging and exploding”.
“First thing is I smelt something and I thought ‘oh gee that smells strong’,” she said. “Then I heard lots and lots of banging and exploding, so I thought I’d go down and see what it was.”
Ms Elliott didn’t see fire but did see plumes of smoke
“There was orange smoke, white smoke and really black smoke,” she said.
“The fireys looked like they did a really good job.”
Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the incident, asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 10.30pm and 11.30pm to come forward.