Fire at Port Lincoln’s King Neptune’s Seafood & Pasta causes up to $40k of damage

The owner of a popular seafood joint closed by fire is feeling lucky despite the blaze sparking a massive damage bill and forcing neighbours to evacuate.

A popular Port Lincoln takeaway shop has been forced to close after fire broke out at the business overnight, causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage.

MFS crews were called to King Neptune’s Seafood and Pasta around 9.55pm on Thursday after reports smoke was coming from the roof of the business.

The MFS was called to King Neptune's just before 10pm Thursday evening in response to an electrical fire. Picture: Micaela Stark

Owner of King Neptune’s Akash Thakural said he felt “lucky” the fire only damaged around 10 per cent of the roof.

“We have to get builders in to see how quickly they can fix the roof but we’re hoping to only be closed for a week or two,” Mr Thakural said.

Port Lincoln Fire Station officer Shane Porter said crews were at the scene within 7 minutes and managed to contain the blaze within 10 minutes.

“On arrival we noticed there was smoke issuing out of an air vent, but there was no obvious flames until we had a closer inspection and saw fire burning up in the roof cavity,” Mr Porter said.

The suspected cause believed to an electrical fault with Mr Porter estimating between $30,000 and $40,000 in damage.

“Damage was limited to the roof structure, but the fire didn’t extend too much into the shop space besides some minor smoke and water damage,” he said.

“They were very lucky, had it happened a few hours later it could have been a very different outcome.”

A blaze caused an estimated damage bill of $30,000 and $40,000 after a suspected electrical fault at King Neptune’s. Picture: Micaela Stark

Staff at neighbouring business KFC were forced to evacuate as smoke had entered through the business’ roof space.

MFS has roped off the area, restricting public access until further notice.