Fire Destroys Shop Waikerie

SA Country Fire Service firefighters have responded to a structure fire in Waikerie in the Riverland this evening.

Called in just after 7:00pm after passers-by witnessed smoke coming from a local takeaway shop on McCoy Street, Waikerie.

With the shop having closed less than 10 minutes prior to the fire starting, on arrival the more than 55 firefighters, from 10 CFS Trucks and one MFS truck, found the fire which is believed to have started in the kitchen area going well.

Whilst extinguishing the fire in the shop, crews were also forced to protect two other buildings to the side and rear of the business resulting in only minimal water impacting on those businesses.

To make firefighting efforts more difficult the floor of the takeaway shop was made of timber with a cellar underneath; firefighters needed to ensure they worked around any areas that may present a risk of collapse.

Unfortunately the takeaway shop has been left completely destroyed, initial dollar damage estimates have been set at $150 000, the cause of the fire is yet to be determined but is believed to be not-suspicious. Fire Cause Investigators have been requested to attend.

SA Police and SA Ambulance are also in attendance.

2019-08-27 Heidi Davis