RIP Jeff.
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Australia's best known animatronic dinosaur has gone the way of his ancient counterparts. Extinction.
Fire destroyed the giant Tyrannosaurus rex model on the grounds of Clive Palmer's Coolum resort in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Firefighters were called to the resort about 1.40am Tuesday, a Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesman said.
"There was a dinosaur on fire," he said.
But it was not just any dinosaur on fire but Jeff, the original and most beloved member of Mr Palmer's 140-strong collection.
The QFES spokesman said the giant T-Rex model was engulfed by flames when firefighters arrived.
The blaze was extinguished by 2am, leaving just a metal skeleton.
Police do not believe arson is behind the destruction of the controversial structure.
A spokesman for Mr Palmer said it was suspected the fire was sparked by an electrical fault.
He said it was too early to say if the billionaire mining magnate turned Federal MP would resurrect his much-loved Jeff.
The T-Rex model's skeletal remains will be dismantled on Tuesday, the spokesman said.
"The fire department and police are completing their inspections this morning and the area is cordoned off to prevent access," he said in a statement.
"Jeff will be dismantled and taken away once we have received clearance from the fire and police departments."
The roaring, animatronic structure has taken pride of place on the golf course at Palmer Coolum Resort since soon after Mr Palmer acquired the resort from the Hyatt group in 2011.
He was rumoured to be named after former Queensland deputy premier Jeff Seeney, following Mr Palmer's infamous split with the LNP.
Mr Palmer has regularly been photographed in front of the towering dinosaur model, the first erected at the resort.
Social media quickly pounced on Jeff's demise, using the hashtag #RIPJeff on Twitter.
"Jeff touched me in a way other dinosaurs couldn't #neverforget #RIPJeff," wrote former Sunshine Coast Daily journalist Patrick Williams.
A long-standing parody Twitter account, @jeffthetrex also got in on the act.
Rumours of Jeff's death have been greatly exaggerated. In the words of another great dinosaur: "I'll be back!"
#rahhh — Jeff the T-Rex (@JefftheTRex)
March 2, 2015
Do you reckon Jeff
@CliveFPalmer's T-Rex was destroyed by an asteroid or climate change?
#qldpol — Marty Silk (@MartySilkHack)
March 2, 2015
Jeff touched me in a way other dinosaurs couldn't
#neverforget
#RIPJeff
pic.twitter.com/TmrkeD8Rpt — Patrick Williams (@PatrickWilliams)
March 2, 2015
#RIPJeff We hardly knew ye
pic.twitter.com/TOb0plGUm0 — Jarod Hitchcock (@Jrod59points)
March 2, 2015
Fair call to dislike PUP or Palmer but Jeff the Dinosaur was an innocent @_@
#RIPJeff RT
@Debz73:
pic.twitter.com/WnjiMl9jwv — Cranky Pants Noely (@YaThinkN)
March 2, 2015
