A massive fire at a storage facility in Burpengary has left scores of local residents, including those experiencing homelessness, facing the heartbreaking loss of all their worldly possessions and cherished memories.
The significant blaze erupted at the Storage King Burpengary facility on Old Gympie Road around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 11 June. The intense flames were visible from the nearby Bruce Highway, prompting immediate concern across the community.
Devastating Losses for Residents
More than 180 units, approximately one-third of the entire facility, were consumed by the fire. For many, these units held not just belongings, but the entirety of their personal histories and future hopes. One resident, Irene Schynol, shared her despair, explaining that everything she owned had been stored at the facility after four years of homelessness.
She was nearing the point of securing a permanent home, but now faces the uncertainty of having nothing to furnish it with. She described losing irreplaceable items like personal papers, photographs of her adopted daughter who had passed away, and cherished family photos.
Another affected resident also stated that “absolutely everything,” including photos of her children and other sentimental items, was stored there, highlighting the widespread impact on families in the area.
Emergency Response and Containment
Fire crews were quick to respond to the scene, with firefighters from a nearby station arriving swiftly. Their rapid action was credited with preventing the fire from engulfing the entire facility. The Queensland Fire Department reported that it took 26 crews three and a half hours to bring the large blaze under control.
Due to the significant volume of smoke billowing from the site, police made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA) at approximately 7:05 p.m., creating an exclusion zone that encompassed New Settlement Road, Pitt Road, Bellini Road, Twists Road, and Old Bay Road. Residents within this zone were advised to remain indoors and keep their windows closed.
Several roads, including Pitt Road, Old Gympie Road, and the northbound Bruce Highway, Deception Bay on-ramp, were temporarily closed. The PSPA declaration was later retracted just after 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 12. Two individuals were assessed for smoke inhalation, with one person transported to Caboolture Hospital in stable condition.
Ongoing Investigation
Police declared the scene a crime scene at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, 12 June, marking the beginning of a thorough investigation into the cause of the inferno. Authorities are looking into various possibilities, including whether lithium-ion batteries played a role in igniting or intensifying the fire.
Queensland Fire Department Area Commander Leon Andrews stated that it is too early to speculate on the exact cause, noting that a variety of materials, including accelerants, fuel, or batteries, could be stored in such units. Engineers are expected to assess the structural integrity of the building before it can be deemed safe for entry.
Published Date 13-Jun-2025
Photo Credit: Brisbane Incident Alerts/ Facebook
