LATEST @ November 6 | A man has now been charged with arson following a ferocious fire at a business in Ashmore that sparked mass evacuations and left one woman in hospital.
Police allege the man attended an industrial clothing factory on Commercial Drive just before 2pm on Wednesday and deliberately set a donation bin alight using an accelerant before fleeing.
Thick smoke and flames quickly filled the area, forcing nearby workers to evacuate as emergency crews rushed to contain the blaze.
A 35-year-old woman suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene before being transported to Gold Coast University Hospital.
Police immediately declared a crime scene and launching an investigation, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old Biggera Waters man overnight.
He has since been charged with one count of arson and is expected to face the Southport Magistrates Court today.
EARLIER @ November 5 | A busy warehouse area on the Gold Coast has had to be closed off after a fire spread through multiple businesses.
Emergency services rushed to Commercial Drive in Ashmore around 2pm on Wednesday after smoke was seen billowing from a building before finding three factories well alight.
Queensland Police have confirmed all occupants of the building were evacuated and nearby businesses were also evacuated as a precaution.
Paramedics did need to treat one person for smoke inhalation, who was then taken to the Gold Coast Hospital for further treatment.
There are still eight crews on scene now working to contain the blaze. The Queensland Fire Department has urged residents to avoid the area while they work to extinguish the blaze and have also warned smoke may linger for several hours.
A crime scene has also been declared while police work to determine the cause of the fire.
