Fire Destroys Hardware Store in Tumby Bay

A hardware store in Tumby Bay, South Australia, has been completely destroyed by fire, prompting a significant emergency response. The blaze broke out at the Mitre 10 store just before 3 p.m. on Saturday, shortly after the store had closed for the day.

Fifty-five firefighters from the Country Fire Service (CFS), equipped with nine trucks, joined forces with the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS), South Australia Police, and the SA Ambulance Service to combat the flames. Brenton Stratford, a group officer with CFS Tumby Bay and one of the first responders, described it as one of the largest incidents he has managed, aside from major bushfires. “We upgraded it to a level three incident to bring in more trucks and personnel,” he noted, praising the volunteers who assisted in the effort.

The fire escalated rapidly, making it difficult for firefighters to control initially. “It really went up, and we couldn’t do much about it… it just became a matter of protecting assets and the adjoining houses,” Stratford explained. Fortunately, the CFS was able to contain the fire by around 6 p.m., and neighboring properties were not severely impacted.

Hazardous materials (HazMat) operators were on-site to monitor the atmosphere and manage the runoff from firefighting efforts. They also ensured that a nearby school was safe for students to return.

Tamika Kelly, the duty manager at the supermarket across the street, witnessed the fire’s rapid spread. “It just went up so quickly,” she said, adding that they evacuated the store for safety. “It’s really tough to see something like this happen to a business that’s pretty important to the local community.”

With the nearest hardware store located 40 kilometers inland in Cummins and another 50 kilometers away in Port Lincoln, locals face significant challenges in obtaining supplies. “It’s going to be a real hindrance, and the cost for people doing projects will soon add up,” Stratford remarked. “If you want any hardware, you’ll have to find a way to get it here. You’ll lose two hours easily just going to get things and coming back.”