A teenager is in custody after a Gold Coast home went up in flames on Wednesday morning, sending plumes of "toxic smoke" into the air and forcing nearby residents to evacuate.
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The Southport house suffered extensive damage and partially collapsed as the flames took hold, with police also declaring the residence and asbestos zone.
Firefighting crews were called to a property on the corner of North and Norman streets about 10.40am to find the residence “well alight”, a fire spokesman said.
Surrounding streets were closed as the house burned and didn't reopen until about 1.20pm.
Three fire crews with breathing apparatus brought the blaze under control by 11.45am.
A fire spokesman said the house was believed to be an abandoned property and squatters had been on site, however, all known people had been accounted for.
No one was injured, an ambulance spokeswoman said.
Fire investigators and police were working to determine the cause of the fire.
with Toby Crockford
