Streets locked down, man in hospital after industrial blaze

Police diverted traffic from a tyre store engulfed in flames on Wednesday afternoon, after declaring an exclusion zone spanning several blocks south of Brisbane.

The fire was first reported about 1pm, with passers-by noticing black smoke billowing from Brisbane Tyres Mags, on the corner of Delton Street and Queens Road in Kingston.

Fire crews arrived to find the building consumed by the blaze, while paramedics treated one man for superficial burns to his hand and leg.

He was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a stable condition.

Although firefighters had the blaze under control about an hour later, it continued to burn for several hours, a Fire Department spokeswoman said.

Nine reported that 20 cars were destroyed by the fire.

By 6pm, a night crew took over the site and was dampening down hot spots.

Atmospheric testing of the area on Wednesday evening found negligible amounts of smoke remaining in the air.

Earlier in the day, police established an exclusion zone spanning several blocks and centring on Queens Road, which was closed from Meakin Road to Alan Street. Delton Street was also closed.

Traffic became heavy west of the closed section shortly after the exclusion zone was established, and motorists reported a minor crash along Queens Road.

The Fire Department said everyone at the store was accounted for, and police revoked the exclusion zone about 5.30pm.

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