Two minors charged over Woolworths store blaze
- Replies 60
The heat of summer is nothing compared to the heat of a raging fire that engulfed a Woolworths store in Adelaide. With shoppers inside, two teenagers allegedly set the store alight on Sunday, October 15.
More than 100 firefighters from the Country Fire Service (CFS) and Metropolitan Fire Service were deployed to battle the blaze, which is believed to have started in one of the aisles of the Mount Barker Road store.
The Stirling Village shopping centre was promptly evacuated as bystanders heard explosions and large black plumes of smoke rose from the building. No one was injured in the incident.
Two 14-year-old boys—from Heatherfield and Bridgewater—have been charged with arson in relation to the fire. They were bailed to appear in Mount Barker Youth Court on December 14.
The work of firefighters was praised by CFS Executive Director of Operations Cameron Devey: ‘We’re really, really keen on stressing that our firefighters here tonight have done a great job.’
He added: ‘They have saved the adjoining businesses and shops.’
The blaze destroyed the supermarket, damaging other shops and causing $15 million in damages. The fire didn’t reach the other stores, but smoke and water damage are expected in the rest of the complex.
The power in the area was cut while the fire raged on for hours.
‘We [are] aware of the disruption that it may cause but it’s necessary as part of the process of putting the fire out,’ Mr Devey explained.
They also advised residents to stay inside their homes and close the doors and windows due to the thick smoke that the fire had generated.
‘The incident is generating a large amount of smoke drifting in an easterly direction, impacting on Mount Barker Rd and surrounding streets,’ the CFS said.
The incident has left many workers in shock, with some saying that the fire started so quickly and unexpectedly that they initially thought the fire alarm was going off due to an accident.
'I tried to turn it off thinking nothing was happening,' said David Holliday, one of the employees.
‘But the front staff were screaming, “This is not a drill, we have to leave now,’” he added.
Another employee told the paper that staff did an 'amazing job' evacuating shoppers from the store.
‘It took hold so quick, it was really scary…People could have been in serious trouble if they didn’t act sooner,’ she stated.
You can watch 9News Australia’s report here:
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
More than 100 firefighters from the Country Fire Service (CFS) and Metropolitan Fire Service were deployed to battle the blaze, which is believed to have started in one of the aisles of the Mount Barker Road store.
A Woolworths store in Stirling Village, Adelaide was set ablaze by two teenage boys. Credit: Allan Payne/Facebook
The Stirling Village shopping centre was promptly evacuated as bystanders heard explosions and large black plumes of smoke rose from the building. No one was injured in the incident.
Two 14-year-old boys—from Heatherfield and Bridgewater—have been charged with arson in relation to the fire. They were bailed to appear in Mount Barker Youth Court on December 14.
The work of firefighters was praised by CFS Executive Director of Operations Cameron Devey: ‘We’re really, really keen on stressing that our firefighters here tonight have done a great job.’
He added: ‘They have saved the adjoining businesses and shops.’
The blaze destroyed the supermarket, damaging other shops and causing $15 million in damages. The fire didn’t reach the other stores, but smoke and water damage are expected in the rest of the complex.
The power in the area was cut while the fire raged on for hours.
The fire started in one of the aisles of the store. Credit: Chad Habel/Facebook
‘We [are] aware of the disruption that it may cause but it’s necessary as part of the process of putting the fire out,’ Mr Devey explained.
They also advised residents to stay inside their homes and close the doors and windows due to the thick smoke that the fire had generated.
‘The incident is generating a large amount of smoke drifting in an easterly direction, impacting on Mount Barker Rd and surrounding streets,’ the CFS said.
The incident has left many workers in shock, with some saying that the fire started so quickly and unexpectedly that they initially thought the fire alarm was going off due to an accident.
'I tried to turn it off thinking nothing was happening,' said David Holliday, one of the employees.
‘But the front staff were screaming, “This is not a drill, we have to leave now,’” he added.
Another employee told the paper that staff did an 'amazing job' evacuating shoppers from the store.
‘It took hold so quick, it was really scary…People could have been in serious trouble if they didn’t act sooner,’ she stated.
You can watch 9News Australia’s report here:
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
.png){kind=icon}
