Police have charged a man following the alleged attempted arson of a hostel accommodation building in Fortitude Valley yesterday evening, Queensland Police say.
It is alleged around 6.40pm a man has gained entry into the hostel building on Gipps Street by smashing a window and entering the premises.
He is then alleged to have gone to a room with in the building and used an accelerant to start a fire. The building’s fire alarms have activated and people have begun evacuating the building. It’s alleged a man was observed within the vicinity of the fire and has been told to leave.
The man was then seen to leave the room and has then allegedly fled the scene through the smashed window. It will be alleged another man has followed him to a Fortitude Valley carpark. Police located the man and he was arrested and later charged.
A 28-year-old Brisbane man was charged with one count each of attempted arson and entering a premises with intent to commit an indictable offence.
There was minor fire and smoke damage to one room in the building as well as smoke damage to an adjacent room. No one was injured as a result of the fire.
The 28-year-old man is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
