An out-of-control fire that has spread to neighboring buildings leaves one man fighting for his life as the blaze continues to wreak havoc across the city.
At approximately 4.30pm on Wednesday, a fire was reported at an abandoned building on Hubert Street, Woolloongabba, in Brisbane’s city centre.
A man suffered ‘significant smoke inhalation’ and was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with life-threatening burns to the airways.
Firefighters arrived at the abandoned building, which was already largely engulfed in flames. It is believed that chemicals are stored in the building.
The fire spread to an adjacent business, forcing police to establish a no-go zone and close off surrounding streets.
Queensland Police have declared a state of emergency under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA).
“The public is advised to avoid the area and people within the exclusion zone are asked to remain indoors until further notice,” Queensland Police said.
The fire also spread to Brisbane wedding venue Lussh, where firefighters worked with cranes above the building to extinguish the flames, it said. The courier post.
The fire broke out in an abandoned warehouse storing chemicals in Woolloongabba, in central Brisbane, at around 4.30pm on Wednesday
The fire spread to a nearby building and 15 firefighters are working to extinguish the flames
A Queensland Fire Service spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that “at last count” there were 15 fire engines on scene.
“Firefighters have been working to extinguish an active fire in two buildings and a third building is experiencing smoke,” he said.
“They are still working on putting out 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 two crew members remain at the scene.
Electrician Ben Newman was standing next to the abandoned building when he first smelled the smoke. When he looked outside, he knew he had to leave immediately.
“The building was deserted and I heard a man screaming for him to help me. One of the bystanders came over and 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 zone and people within the zone must remain indoors until further notice.
‘About 5-10 minutes later, about four firefighters came and the police told me to leave.’
Another witness, Kay Smith, said she saw the fire spread to other buildings and found it “very sad” as she believed heritage buildings may be at risk.