By TANIA PHILLIPS
WORK on the new Stanthorpe Civic Centre floor has been suspended after fire gutted the facility’s kitchen and caused “significant damage” to the supper room on Friday night.
Southern Downs Regional Council is playing a waiting game as investigations continue into the fire.
Council Community Facilities manager Michael Bell said the alarm was raised at approximately 7pm on Friday.
“By the time Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) was on site, the blaze was well underway,” he said.
“Unfortunately the kitchen has been gutted, and there is significant damage to the supper room, including heat and water damage to the new timber flooring.
“There appears to be some smoke damage to other parts of the civic centre, including the main auditorium. We’ll know more about the extent of the damage once the insurance assessors have undertaken their assessment.
“It’s likely that parts of the new flooring in the main auditorium will be impacted. At this stage, the entire civic centre is out of action, as both the electricity and water supplies have been switched off while the damage is assessed.
“QFES and Queensland Police Services’ Scenes of Crime unit investigators attended the site over the weekend and have completed their inquiries.
“Despite some community speculation, there is no evidence to suggest that the fire was caused by a lightning strike, or by arson. The indication is that the fire was an accident and council anticipates that this will be confirmed.
“Council is working towards a solution, both for the short and the longer term, and will contact those hirers who have bookings over the next couple of weeks to offer alternatives, where an alternative may be available, for their events.
“In regard to the floor replacement work that is being carried out in the civic centre, work has been suspended, but council is hopeful that work on the main auditorium floor may resume sometime in the next few weeks.”
Anyone with questions about their Stanthorpe Civic Centre booking should contact Council’s Community Contact Centre on 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372).
