Fundraiser for Soquilichi after fire rips through shop

Soquilichi Rescue Ranch President Miranda Wells awoke to her shop manager at her door crying and distraught. “Miranda, come quick, the op shop is burning down!” 

“It was my worst nightmare,” said Miranda of the fire that tore through the op shop early Saturday morning (January 27), destroying stock sold to support rescued animals.

“At 4am it was a raging inferno,” she said. “By the time we got there, it was destroyed. Burnt to the ground. So many hours had gone into this. To make it great, another source of income for our beloved animals. We are not sure how it has happened. Definitely not arson.”

Miranda said her first instinct was to think of the animals.  

There were vet bills coming due and the shop was preparing for a big sale. 

“We need to raise $5000 to replace everything and be able to get back on our feet and start selling again,” she said.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said emergency services were called to the property on Rutherford Road, Kulangoor shortly after 3am, Saturday (January 27) and found the building completely engulfed in flames.

The store was unoccupied at the time of the blaze.

A fire service spokesman said on Monday (January 29) they were unable to determine the cause of the fire because of the extent of the damage. But they confirmed it was non-suspicious.

• If you wish to donate to the Soquilichi Rescue Ranch Op Shop rebuild please go to: https://soquilichi-rescue-ranch.giveeasy.org/urgent-help...

Donations can be dropped off at 5 Rutherford Road, Kulangoor, during store opening hours, which are 9am to 3pm Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The fire service was unable to determine the cause of the fire. But they confirmed it was non-suspicious.