A BLAZE at a Portsmith squatters camp ripped through a caravan containing gas cylinders, prompting fears of an explosion.

In the first of two major fires in the region yesterday, two crews of firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, which erupted on a vacant lot at Cook St about 8.30am, but were unable to save the van.

No one was hurt in the fire, which police said was not suspicious.

LPG cylinders were in the caravan at the time but firefighters managed to prevent an explosion.

"It was well alight when crews arrived," a Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said. "They had to protect the gas cylinders.

"Luckily, no one was inside at the time."

Meanwhile, an elderly Malanda couple came home yesterday to find fire crews dousing the remains of a backyard shed after an intense fire, which destroyed it an the vehicle parked inside within minutes.

Atherton station officer Peter Campion said the flames were so hot when fire crews arrived they were pushed back and had to use larger hoses to tackle it. When firefighters arrived flames were shooting out the doors and windows of the locked shed.

"When we arrived neighbours and council workers were using garden hoses to try and put out the fire," Mr Campion said.

"There was not much they could do, but it is good to see that community spirit is alive and well at Malanda."

The Atherton crew was assisted by Malanda and the fire was brought under control within minutes but it took more than 10 minutes to fully extinguish the fire. Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances.

Share this article