The operators of a luxury hinterland retreat have expressed their heartache after an award-winning day spa was gutted by fire.
Emergency services were called to attend the blaze near Maleny early on Sunday morning, but the venue could not be saved.
Spicers Tamarind Retreat released a statement, not long after.
“It is with great sadness we announce that Spa Anise at Spicers Tamarind Retreat has been lost to fire this morning,” the company said. “The cause of the fire is currently unknown.”
“No team or guests were injured or in any danger.
“The retreat’s accommodation and restaurant were not affected as the spa building is a completely separate stand-alone building.
“Accommodation and restaurant business will continue to trade … as normal.
“Spicers Retreats wishes to thank Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the Queensland Police Service for their quick response.”
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The spa presented four treatment rooms, a serene lounge and a mineralised hydrotherapy pool.
A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said nothing could be done to save the 20sqm building.
“We got the first call through at about 6.20am, about a building fire south of Maleny.”
“We initially had three fire and rescue service crews and a rural fire service crew there, while the QAS (Queensland Ambulance Service) and QPS (Queensland Police Service) were also in attendance.
“On our arrival, the building was well involved.
“There were no people inside, but it was already thoroughly burnt down. It had largely collapsed by the time our crews got there.
“We had two firefighters with breathing apparatus that went into action initially, but they stayed well clear of the building due to imminent collapse of the building.
“By 7.30am, we had several firefighters dampening down externally and there were multiple collapse events occurring through extinguishing it.
“They started scaling down at about 9.20am but noted that they expected it to continue smoke for quite some time.
“When we started to leave at about 3.30pm it was still smoking but wasn’t on fire. It was a long day.
“We had 12 crews there through the day.
“It doesn’t look like it threatened any surrounding buildings.”
The QFES fire investigation unit attended and has since finished its inspection and investigation. The cause of the fire was undetermined and not suspicious.
Spicers Tamarind Retreat is one of 10 luxury Spicers retreats around the country, owned by businesswoman Jude Turner.
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