Brisbane businesses gutted by intense blaze

Ten businesses in Brisbane’s south have been gutted by an intense fire that caused their roofs to collapse.

Inspector Doug May from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services told Today crews were first called to the row of shops on Old Cleveland Road at Coorparoo about 2.15am.

“Crews fought to contain it, and contain it from the exposures that were around it, and brought it under control,” he said.

“We’ve got some structural collapse in the roof and all the ceilings are down and they’re quite hard to access. There are still some hot spots in there and we’ll be here for quite a while.”

Insp. May also said that early-rising shopkeepers had this morning come to the stores for a day’s work, only to see them destroyed.

“The baker – being the early riser here – has come through this morning and he’s pretty shattered about his business disappearing,” he said.

“Right before Easter too, of note, so he would’ve been in full-swing coming out with hot cross buns no doubt, but it’s all gone – everything in this block is gone.”

In addition to the bakery, it is believed the row of shops includes restaurants, newsagents and clothing alterations businesses.

Fire crews are expected to remain on the scene this morning for several hours, and Old Cleveland Road remains closed as authorities work to determine the cause of the blaze.

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