A LARGE fire gutted Newbery Chemists, Wallaroo, in the early hours of yesterday morning (Monday, November 29).

A private alarm company notified Copper Coast MFS and CFS units of an alert at 5.50am, before two additional alerts prompted Adelaide MFS crews to be called upon.

Six MFS units, as well as CFS crews from Maitland, Bute, Kadina, Port Broughton, Blackwood, Salisbury and Tea Tree Gully battled the blaze, which was mostly contained by about 1pm.

Toxic smoke from the chemist wafted through Wallaroo, as locals were urged to stay inside and close their windows.

Owen Terrace was completely restricted from the public and all the street’s businesses were closed for the day.

MFS commander Robert Fraser said the blaze was difficult to contain.

“The (Newbery Chemists) ceiling completely collapsed, there was a partial collapse of the side wall, and a collapse into a cellar,” he said.

“But the result could’ve been a lot worse and it was a great joint effort to mostly contain the fire to its building of origin.

“Burning plastics from the chemist caused the toxic smoke.

“The fire is being investigated but has been treated as non-suspicious.”

CFS Northern Yorke Group Officer David Bussenschutt said he was able to liaise with the MFS to control the blaze successfully.

“We were able to use a CFS compressed air foam system to smother the fire,” he said.

“A wall collapse caused a very minor knee injury to a local CFS firefighter.”

SA Power Networks was forced to isolate the power supply from Owen Terrace to enable the safety of the firefighters.

“We were able to restore power supply to the houses on (Owen Terrace) once it was declared safe to do so (yesterday afternoon),” a SAPN spokes­person said.

“Shops along the street will also be reconnected once it’s declared safe.

“There can sometimes be damage to electrical wiring during a fire, so an electrician will need to approve before the shops can reopen.”

Newbery Chemists assess damages

NEWBERY Chemists, Wallaroo, staff are still assessing the cost of yesterday’s fire.

Damage to the building included the site’s new sleep apnoea and vaccination facilities but general manager Tim Gross said he was meeting with insurers today (Tuesday).

“I’m hoping we can secure a lease for a new Wallaroo premises today, so we can move our Wallaroo services to a temporary site,” he said.

“There’ll be no jobs lost in the process and we’ll have staff back at our (Moonta and Kadina) sites to deliver the same services for our valued clients.

“I had a meeting with our Wallaroo staff yesterday — they have been absolutely wonderful.

“Tough times like these make you realise how great your team really is.”

Mr Gross thanked the entire community for its support, including the medical centres and emergency service crews.

“I was amazed to already see fire trucks on site when I got there— the response time was incredible,” Mr Gross said.

“Driving past the (Cornucopia Hotel), I saw the whole building engulfed in flames from the back.

“I can’t put into words how devasting it was.”

Local businesses left distraught

YP Quilting Fabrics, located next door the chemist, also suffered significant damage from the structure fire.

Fire, smoke and water damage has owner Tania Henschke and daughter Susan to find a new premises to trade from, just five months after opening.

“We are absolutely devasted with the result — the fire burnt right through our roof,” Ms Henschke said.

“We had just started to get a good flow of customers.

“We only recently finished ­re-stocking the shop and were gearing up for Christmas.

“Thanks to the other (Owen Terrace) traders for welcoming us into your community.”

While the Little Claws Rescue shop, two doors down from the chemist, suffered minor smoke damage all 32 cats inside were saved.

Rescue organisation founder Amy Ferguson thanked CFS firefighters for helping her save the animals, and her parents for transporting the cats.

“On my way from Moonta (where I live) to Wallaroo, I saw the smoke and realised the fire was a lot worse than what I was thinking,” she said.

“When I got there, I saw two firefighters come out of YP Quilting Fabrics and told them I need to save my cats.

“Although they probably didn’t have the choice (to keep me out), the three of us ran into the building filled with smoke and were able to save all 32 cats.

“The store was pretty smoked out so it’ll probably just need a big clean more than anything.”