Frustration is growing among residents in Burpengary after two people wearing balaclavas looted e-scooters from a local storage facility still reeling from a major fire that destroyed nearly 200 units.
Tenants Demand Answers
The community’s patience is wearing thin following a brazen theft at the fire-damaged Storage King site on Old Gympie Road. Affected unit holder Judy Wilson-Hewitt has voiced her deep disappointment with the handling of the incident. She stated that a lack of transparency, poor communication, and questionable decision-making by site management have only added to the distress and anger experienced by many locals. She believes all those who lost property in the initial blaze deserve answers and fair treatment, not what she described as secrecy and neglect.
The original fire tore through the facility on Wednesday, 11 June, completely destroying 188 storage units and leaving the site blocked off to the public. The cause of that blaze remains under investigation.
Security Breach Under Scrutiny
The subsequent looting has raised serious questions about the security of the property. CCTV footage captured two individuals walking into one of the damaged units and riding away on the stolen e-scooters. In a statement released to unit holders on 3 July, Storage King Burpengary confirmed the theft occurred at around 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, 26 June.
Management said the matter was immediately reported to police and that all CCTV footage had been provided to assist with the investigation. The company also noted that an on-site security presence has been in place since the fire and will remain until perimeter fences and gates are fully operational again. They added that the site has active alarms and that security measures have been reviewed and adjusted following the breach.
Police Investigations Continue
A Queensland Police Spokeswoman confirmed they are investigating the theft. Police reports indicate that two people gained access to a storage shed at the address around 10:50 pm before removing the two e-scooters and fleeing the area.
The incident has also brought the facility’s storage policies into focus. While Storage King’s terms and conditions forbid storing hazardous, dangerous, or flammable goods, e-scooters are not explicitly named on the prohibited items list. Police are now appealing for anyone with information about either the fire or the subsequent theft to come forward as their investigations into both matters continue.
Published Date 15-July-2025
Photo Credit: Brisbane Incident Alerts/ Facebook
CLICK ANY LOGO TO SEE PUBLICATION
