Cold Store Fire - Blackwood - October 13 2003

A large storage warehouse known as the “Cold Stores” at Blackwood has been gutted during a major overnight fire.

The alarm was raised just after 12.30am but responding crews could do little to save the Station Avenue building, the fire having spread into the common roof cavity of the 90m x 20m building and taken hold.

More than 60 firefighters from Blackwood, Eden Hills, Belair, Coromandel Valley, Cherry Gardens and Metropolitan Fire Service crews from St Marys and Adelaide battled the blaze throughout the night, and at sunrise fire crews were still trying to extinguish a number of flare-ups within the building.

Crews were forced back by the intense heat, which buckled brick walls and caused parts of the roof to cave in. A leaking 150kg ammonia gas tank attached to industrial refrigerators added to concerns, with crews forced to wear breathing apparatus because of the plumes of thick smoke.

The building contained a number of storage areas, an antique shop, a toy storage facility and carpet store. At least one vehicle was also destroyed.

Local residents have praised fire crews for their efforts to stop the blaze from engulfing surrounding homes, with fire crews also managing to salvage a large collection of wine valued at nearly $150,000.

Calm weather assisted in the effort to protect nearby homes, although trees more than ten metres away were scorched by the searing heat.

In the height of the blaze, local residents were advised to stay indoors and ensure windows were shut until the dense smoke layer that had blanketed several suburbs had dispersed.

Fire crews have remained on scene throughout the day to ensure the combustible material contained within the building did not reignite.

A bobcat and large earth moving equipment have both assisted in the major clean-up operation and to pull apart the smouldering remains of dozens of carpets.

Fire cause investigators have spent several hours sifting through the burnt out remains but have not been able to determine how the blaze began.

Arson has not been able to be ruled out as the cause of the $1 million fire.

Crews were met with the "Cold Store" going well on arrival

Multiple 64mm & HP Lines were utilised

Crews getting to Work at the rear of the "Cold Store"

CABA was worn by crews with additional hazard of Ammonia

Smoke Explosion early in the morning