Burleigh Heads National Park fire: Blaze sparks arson investigation and fears for wildlife on the Gold Coast

A suspected arson attack has left koala habitat scorched after fire tore through a beloved Gold Coast park.

Headshot of Madeline Cove
Madeline Cove
The Nightly
Police manhunt launched after suspicious fire at koala habitat.

Police are searching for a suspected arsonist after a large fire tore through Burleigh Heads National Park overnight.

The blaze ignited just after 9pm on Tuesday, triggering a major emergency response as firefighters rushed to the popular Gold Coast bushland.

Crews monitored the inferno until it eventually burnt itself out around 11.30pm when it ran out of fuel.

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Wildlife rangers are due to return on Wednesday morning to assess the damage and determine whether walking tracks will need to be closed.

Authorities are still working to establish how much of the park was scorched, but the fire is being treated as suspicious 7 News reported.

A disturbing video has since emerged showing a young person waving a flaming branch shortly before the blaze broke out.

The park is a key habitat for koalas, raising fears for wildlife that may have been caught in the fire.

More to come...

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