An out-of-control fire that has spread to neighbouring properties has left one man fighting for his life as the blaze continues to wreak havoc across the city.
An abandoned building was reported to be on fire in Hubert Street, Woolloongabba, in central Brisbane, at around 4.30pm on Wednesday.
One man suffered “significant smoke inhalation” and was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with life-threatening burns to his airway.
Firefighters arrived at the abandoned building, which was already almost fully ablaze. Chemicals are believed to be stored inside the structure.
The fire spread to a neighbouring business, forcing police to declare an exclusion zone and cordon off surrounding streets.
Queensland Police have made an emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA).
“The public is advised to avoid the area and those within the exclusion zone are asked to remain indoors until further notice,” Queensland Police said.
The blaze also spread to the Brisbane warehouse Lussh, where weddings were being held, with firefighters working from cranes above the building to put out the flames, it was reported. The courier mail.
The fire broke out at an abandoned warehouse storing chemicals in Woolloongabba, in Brisbane’s inner city, at about 4.30pm on Wednesday.
The fire spread to a nearby building and 15 fire crews are working to extinguish the flames.
A Queensland Fire Department spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that there were 15 crews at the scene “at last count”.
“We have had crews working on an active fire in two buildings and a third building is affected by smoke,” he said.
“They are still working on extinguishing the fire and it is difficult to estimate how long it will take (to put out the fires).”
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that two crews remain at the scene.
Electrician Ben Newman was standing next to the abandoned building when he first smelled smoke and when he took one look outside he knew he had to leave immediately.
“The building was abandoned and I heard a man screaming for help, one of the passersby came, kicked the window and pulled him out,” he said.
Queensland Police have declared a state of emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA). People are asked to stay away from the area and those within it are asked to remain at home until further notice.
‘About four firefighters arrived about five or ten minutes later and the police just told me to leave.’
Another witness, Kay Smith, said she saw the fire jump to other structures and said it was “very sad” as she believed heritage buildings could be at risk.
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