Bin fire shuts radio station | Bundaberg News | Local News in Bundaberg

Hits FM DJ James Speed was working in the Bundaberg Broadcasters building when it was targeted by arsonists at around 12:30am Saturday morning.

Max Fleet

RADIOS all over Bundaberg went silent on Saturday morning, as a deliberately-lit fire burned a wall and destroyed electrical cables at Bundaberg Broadcasters.

The blaze was sparked just after midnight, when an unknown person set fire to three wheelie bins outside the radio station.

Hitz FM DJ James Speed said he was alerted to the crisis by a telephone call saying station 4BU had gone off air.

“I thought I’d just have to go in and press a few buttons to get it back on,” Mr Speed said.

But by the time he arrived at the Crofton Street premises, he knew there was a much bigger problem.

“The police and fire brigade were there, and the wall was half gone,” he said.

“There was smoke all over the place.”

The bins were filled with cardboard, which created a blaze so fierce that it jumped to the building and destroyed wiring and exterior wall panels.

Firefighters had managed to bring the flames under control by about 12.30am, but the damage meant that the radio station was off the air for about an hour.

Several windows also cracked under the extreme heat, and Mr Speed said the damage bill was expected to be several thousands of dollars.

“We were lucky that FNQ Security rocked up and saw the fire, because otherwise we wouldn’t have a building,” he said.

“It’s very disappointing that someone would do this, particularly after we raised money to help fix the Liberty Swing (after it was set alight in February).”

Queensland Fire and Rescue station officer Andrew McCracken said the fire was “most certainly” deliberately lit.

“It had the potential to be a very serious fire,” Mr McCracken said.

“It burned light fittings and electrical wiring, and filled the entire premises with smoke.”

He said while it may not seem dangerous, lighting a bin fire could be deadly, noting that a blaze lit under similar circumstances destroyed Maroochydore’s Spotlight store four years ago, with a damage of several million dollars.

“We get about 30 bin fires a year in Bundaberg, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights,” Mr McCracken said.

“At this point, we’ve been lucky but they can be extremely dangerous, very quickly.”

He advised all businesses to remove any stored combustible materials as soon as possible, and keep their bins well away from buildings — under lock and key if possible.

“That way, if someone does light a fire, it won’t destroy the building.” Mr McCracken said.

Bundaberg Police Sergeant Graham Bubb said the fire was being investigated.

Anyone with information should telephone Bundaberg Police on 4153 9111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.