Counting the cost
Businesses reeling after fire guts block
A MASSIVE industrial fire that gutted a Burleigh Heads industrial block has been deemed not suspicious by authorities.
A fire investigator spent yesterday combing the Taree St site to establish what sparked the inferno around 7.20pm on Thursday.
Officials have been unable to determine exactly what caused the blaze after struggling to get inside parts of the collapsed building.
The investigation was also hampered by a number of small fires that broke out at the premises yesterday.
Firefighters remained at the scene putting out hotspot fires until 12.30pm and the building was still smoking well into the afternoon.
It is understood the fire began inside a solar and electrical business before spreading to a second premises.
The block is also home to wedding hire and truck hire businesses, which were damaged by smoke.
Some other units on the site are currently vacant.
Businesses began counting the cost yesterday .
JVM Trimming owner Veon Burke said the bill would run into the thousands of dollars for his operation.
The upholstery business moved into the complex last year and was next to the unit where the fire began.
“Our sewing machines are worth $15,000 each and we also have a caravan in there and personal stuff,” he said.
“I turned up with a coffee in the morning and this is what I found ... I don’t know what to think.”
Surrounding businesses have offered their support.
Cory Still from Coffee at Dans said their business would be fundraising for the victims after he saw the “horrendous” blaze.
“We serve all the locals in this area and it is heartbreaking that they’ve lost everything,” he said.
No one was injured in the fire, however nearby residents were urged to close up their homes due to thick smoke from the blaze.