Phones belonging to two teens charged over Stirling Woolworths fire being analysed

The phones belonging to two Adelaide Hills teens charged with arson over the Woolworths Stirling fire are being analysed, a court has heard.

Mobile phones belonging to the two teenagers charged with arson over the $25m fire that destroyed a Stirling shopping centre have been seized for forensic testing, a court has heard.

The pair, from Bridgewater and Heathfield and who cannot be identified, appeared in the Adelaide Youth Court on Monday after their October arrest following the blaze that left multiple businesses with nowhere to go.

A youth prosecutor asked the matter be adjourned until the end of March while forensic material is assessed.

“CCTV has been provided, what we’re waiting on presently is forensic material – mainly DNA assessment they’re undertaking at the premises and also some mobile phones that were taken from the youths,” he said.

Defence counsel for the duo asked the teenagers be excused from future hearings unless the matter was to be finalised by guilty pleas.

One of the teenagers, right, charged with arson over the $25m Stirling Woolworths fire outside court. Picture: Jessica Dempster

One of the teenagers charged with arson over the $25m Stirling Woolworths fire outside court. Picture: Jessica Dempster

The application was granted by Magistrate Kate Hodder.

The pair were arrested shortly after the fire broke out in the Stirling Woolworths on October 15.

They were both charged with arson over the fire, which caused more than $25m in damage, destroyed the supermarket and caused significant damage to surrounding stores, which have been forced to close.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze after crews were called to the Stirling Village shopping centre about 2.15pm following reports of flames in an aisle.

At the time the centre was quickly evacuated with bystanders reporting explosions.

In November, Adelaide Hills Council confirmed demolition of the Stirling Village Mall, home to Woolworths, Baker’s Delight, Stirling Variety Meats and other stores, would “soon commence”.

“Initial demolition will soon commence to ensure stability and safety on the site so that fire investigators and engineers can enter the building for a more complete assessment of the site, including the full extent of the damage,” the council said in the statement.

The matter will be heard again in March.