Man arrested after desperate attempt to save his dog from burning unit
Five Gold Coast residents are without a home after their asbestos-ridden unit complex was destroyed by fire on Saturday.
One unit owner was arrested by police after his dangerous attempt to get back inside the Burleigh Heads property.
Tenant Troy Mortimer had been out checking the surf and returned home when the building was ablaze.
As police urged onlookers to evacuate, the 37 year-old allegedly refused, trying to rescue his three year old dog.
Mr Mortimer claimed, “I could hear him yelping and the fire brigade and police arrived at the same time.
He was charged with obstructing police.
His dog escaped unharmed.
“I climbed up a tree to get up onto the balcony, and I’m so glad I’ve still got my eyebrows,” Mr Mortimer said.
Thick smoke poured from the Burleigh Heads street as fierce flames devoured three units.
“Power lines were just like bursting and stuff and dad was like really close,” one witness told 7News.
The blaze took hold around 10am on Saturday.
“And in about two minutes time there were flames coming out of every window in the property,” said Chris Robinson from Queensland Fire and Emergency Service.
Warning over items washing up on beaches after ship loses cargo container
Police say suspected illegal casino had “professional poker table and chips”
An exclusion zone was set up around the property and neighbouring residents were urged to close their windows and doors to avoid breathing in asbestos.
Fire investigators spent the afternoon trying to determine the cause as residents returned to start sifting through what they have left.
