A man has been arrested after trying to save his ‘$2,500 dog’ from a fire that destroyed an entire unit block.
Angry black plumes containing asbestos poured out of a three-unit dwelling in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, just after 10am Saturday.
The property on Hayle Street was successfully evacuated but completely destroyed in the blaze, Nine News reported.
Burning asbestos from the unit’s roofing and walls created a hazardous environment and posed serious risks to onlookers, who were initially unaware of the threat
One of the residents, a 37-year-old man, refused orders not to enter the burning property and was arrested after having to be restrained by police.
‘Miniature Schnauzer. I paid two and a half grand for him,’ the man said while thick smoke billowed out of the units behind him.
As emergency crews fought to contain the blaze residents from nearby homes watching on from the street were urged to go back inside and shut all their windows.
Burning asbestos from the unit’s roofing and walls created a hazardous environment and posed serious risks to onlookers, who were initially unaware of the threat.
Firefighters contained the blaze within 20 minutes of arriving and reported no one was treated for injuries at the scene.
Angry black plumes containing asbestos poured out of a three-unit dwelling (pictured) in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, just after 10am Saturday
Neighbour Michael Cook recalled the horror of watching the block become completely engulfed in just minutes, Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
Mr Cook and his daughter ran to all surrounding properties to alert their occupants of the fire and tell them to evacuate.
Another man watched as the 37-year-old tried to re-enter his unit.
‘We just heard a guy screaming out and then we came down and he was trying to get into the front door, it was all on fire,’ Burleigh resident Anthony Robinson said.
The fire is not being treated as suspicious.
One of the residents, a 37-year-old man (pictured), refused orders not to enter the burning property and was arrested after having to be restrained by police
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