A major fire erupted at a Mitre 10 hardware store in Tumby Bay, South Australia, on Saturday afternoon, sending thick plumes of smoke across the Eyre Peninsula suburb located 240km northwest of Adelaide.
Emergency services rushed to the Spencer Street location after flames broke out, with the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) initially issuing a “Watch and Act” alert at 3:23pm before later rescinding the warning.
A massive emergency response saw 55 CFS firefighters across nine fire trucks battle the blaze, assisted by Metropolitan Fire Service crews, police, ambulance teams and power technicians. While the fire remained active for several hours, responders successfully contained it from spreading to adjacent properties.
Authorities closed surrounding roads and warned residents in the area bounded by Trezise Street, Tumby Terrace, North Terrace and Park Terrace to immediately shelter indoors with windows and doors closed due to hazardous smoke conditions.
Shocking social media footage captured the intensity of the fire as flames burst through the building’s roof, with stunned shoppers looking on from a safe distance. The cause remains undetermined, with investigators expected to examine the scene Sunday morning.
The blaze marks a significant loss for the tight-knit coastal community, as the Mitre 10 store has served Tumby Bay residents for nearly two decades.
Officials cautioned that smoke may continue to reduce visibility in the area and urged locals to monitor the CFS website (cfs.sa.gov.au) or call the Information Hotline on 1800 362 361 for updates.
The incident highlights the rapid emergency response capabilities in regional South Australia, with multiple agencies coordinating to protect lives and property from the destructive fire.
