Q1 tower Gold Coast evacuated after fire erupts
Fire breaks out at a massive 78-storey apartment building on the Gold Coast – hundreds of residents evacuated
- Fire in the Q1 high-rise causes chaos
- Hundreds of residents evacuated
- Patients treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries
A fire has broken out at the tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere on the Gold Coast, causing chaotic scenes along the popular holiday strip.
Emergency services rushed to the Q1 tower on Hamilton Avenue in Surfers Paradise around 7am Monday after reports of a fire.
Smoke was seen billowing from the top of the high-rise.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated with reports that people were also trapped in the building’s elevator.
The fire is believed to have started in a rubbish bin chute and has since been extinguished.
It is clear that the fire did not cause any structural damage.
Several streets in Surfers Paradise remain closed after a fire at the Q1 high-rise
Paramedics treated a number of people at the scene, including a young boy who broke his arm falling down the fire escape.
Paramedics are also assistants
“There are few patients who are smoke inhaled, we have a young gentleman with an arm injury as a result of the evacuation, he fell into the fire escape and at the moment we are working with fire to carry out further evacuations,” a paramedic told Sunrise .
Emergency services arrived at chaotic scenes.
“It’s pretty chaotic here,” Queensland Police chief Michael Bradley told the program.
“We ask the public to stay clear of Q1 as a number of streets are currently closed.”
“Everyone is safe, the fire is out, it’s just a matter of clearing the smoke.”
Hamilton Avenue, Clifford Street and Surfers Paradise Boulevard are currently closed.
Young children and pets were among the hundreds evacuated.
Travelers fled the building while holding onto their beloved pets (pictured)
“As of 07:40 the fire was out, but there are several floors of smoke,” a Queensland fire and emergency services spokeswoman said.
“Crews are currently ventilating every floor and evacuating people there as well.”
Everyone in the area is asked to follow the directions of the police.
Opened in 2005, the 322.5-meter skyscraper was the tallest residential building in the world until 2011.
More to come
The evacuees included families and young children (pictured)