Series of fires prompt warning from authorities ahead of bushfire season

A series of fires prompted a stern bushfire warning. See video of the fierce blaze that gutted an iconic country pub and photos of a burnt-out car at Aldinga.

A series of fires have prompted a warning from authorities as South Australia heads into its warmest months – with an almost 125-year-old hotel and a Volkswagen car among those damaged by a blaze.

SA Police have urged the community to be vigilant about the risk posed to lives and property by fire this summer in hills and country regions but also metropolitan and outer suburban areas.

The warning was issued on Saturday morning following three significant car fires, a grass fire and a hotel fire throughout the state – and with scorching weather set to sweep the state next week.

Around 8pm on Friday, the Metropolitan Fire Service responded to multiple triple-0 calls reporting a fire at the almost 125-year-old Federal Hotel in Peterborough.

Upon arrival, the local crew found the main street premises well alight with heavy smoke billowing from the building.

Additional MFS and CFS crews attended the scene and the fire was contained to the ground floor and one room on the first floor.

Fire cause investigators will travel from Adelaide to investigate a fire at the Federal Hotel in Peterborough.

The hotel sustained extensive damage and the back room and first floor veranda are in danger of collapsing. Authorities have warned there could be asbestos on site.

The premises was not operating as a hotel, and one person on site was evacuated without injury.

MFS crews remained on the scene overnight for fire watch and fire cause investigators travelled to the scene from Adelaide.

The hotel was valued at $1.6m but there is currently no estimate of the damage bill.

The blaze at the Federal Hotel in Peterborough.

Earlier on Friday, a car was found engulfed in flames on the Stuart Highway at Coober Pedy.

The abandoned silver Hyundai Elantra is suspected to have been set alight shortly before being located at 4.50pm.

The vehicle was completely destroyed and police are treating the blaze as suspicious.

Meanwhile, police are investigating several fires in the Aldinga area overnight.

Emergency services responded to reports of a car fire in a car park on Port Road, Aldinga, about 12.30am on Saturday.

Upon arrival, the Volkswagen was well alight and the fire was extinguished by fire crews.

This Volkswagen was destroyed at Aldinga early on Saturday morning. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

While investigating that fire, patrols spotted smoke in the distance and attended the scene to investigate.

They found two fires in Lacey Drive, Aldinga Beach – grass burning along the fence line of a business and a car alight. A Holden sedan was also destroyed.

Both fires were extinguished before spreading to nearby businesses.

Southern District CIB detectives and crime scene investigators attended and examined the fire scenes overnight, with investigations continuing.

Police are appealing to the public for any information regarding the fires and has reiterated anyone who sees suspicious or reckless behaviour that increases the risk of a bushfire should contact the police assistance line on 131 444.