Margie Maccoll
Emergency services were quick to respond to a fire that destroyed a top floor unit of a housing commission block on Wyandra Street, Noosa Heads, about 7.45pm on Monday.
The six unit block and neighbouring unit blocks were evacuated while Queensland Fire and Emergency officers contained the blaze to the unit.
Multiple Queensland Ambulance service paramedics attended the fire and assessed one female patient who declined QAS transport to hospital.
Noosa Police said the woman, the sole occupant of the unit, was home at the time but was able to escape the fire which was considered non-suspicious and possibly caused accidentally or by an electrical fault.
Police said four out of the two top units in the three-storey block were unoccupied at the time of the fire and other residents were relocated to other housing in Noosa.
“The unit was completely destroyed,“ police said.
On Tuesday morning some residents returned to assess the damage and collect personal items.
Next door neighbour, Steve, said a fire wall between the units “worked pretty well“ to protect his unit but he was told power would probably be out for about a week and he’d have to find somewhere else to live.
A second floor neighbour, also named Steve, said he was in Coolum at the time of the fire but was contacted by the housing department and asked if he had anywhere to go.
“I went into my unit,“ he said on Tuesday.
“All my stuff’s here. My unit’s all right, just a bit of water inside and there’s no power.
“They said I can’t stay here. I’ve got nowhere else to go.“
A Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy spokesperson said they were aware a departmental complex in Noosa Heads had been damaged by fire on Monday night.
“The department is providing assistance to affected tenants, including exploring alternative housing options, if required,“ the spokesperson said.
Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact the Maroochydore Housing Service Centre on 5352 7333 during business hours or the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.
