Man charged after Surfers hotel fire floods three floors, causing $100k damage

A man has been charged after allegedly lighting a fire in a Surfers Paradise hotel, causing more than $100,000 worth of damage.

Emergency crews were called to the Gold Coast Highway hotel around 8.30pm on Thursday, following reports of a small blaze in a room on the 7th floor.

The flames activated the hotel’s water sprinklers, causing flooding to units on the 5th, 6th and 7th floors, with police estimating the damage bill to be in excess of $100,000.

A 43-year-old man was taken into custody.

He has since been charged with five counts of wilful damage and one count of endangering property by fire.

He is due to face Southport Magistrates Court today.