{"id":358824,"date":"2025-03-24T16:06:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T06:06:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=358824"},"modified":"2025-03-24T16:15:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T06:15:57","slug":"police-probe-cause-of-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/03\/24\/police-probe-cause-of-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Police Probe Cause Of Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The former National Bank building in Blackbutt on fire on Friday night (Photo: Evelyn Green)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 24, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

Police are investigating the cause of a fire which gutted the former National Australia Bank building in Blackbutt on Friday night.<\/p>\n

Fire crews were called to the vacant building just after 7:00pm.<\/p>\n

Firefighters managed to stop the flames from spreading to neighbouring properties, which included a veterinary surgery, but could not save the single-story bank building which had been converted into a residence.<\/p>\n

southburnett.com.au<\/strong> understands the bank building had been sitting vacant since the former occupant died.<\/p>\n

A Queensland Fire Department spokesperson said the structure was well-involved in fire when crews arrived on the scene.<\/p>\n

A police spokesperson confirmed on Monday the cause of the blaze was still under investigation.<\/p>\n

Local business, the Blackbutt Bakery, took to social media on Sunday night to refute “malicious rumours” that it owned the building.<\/p>\n

“We have completed a Qld Titles Search to confirm who \u2018actually\u2019 owns the property; rather than speculate … we ask that you please have some respect as this was once someone\u2019s home, now ruined by fire, not to mention that the building itself holds significant meaning to many locals who knew and loved it as the former NAB bank,” the business posted.<\/p>\n