Suspicious house fire at Croydon, war medals saved at Gawler South home

Police are investigating a fire in Adelaide’s inner west, hours after another blaze completely destroyed a home in north of Adelaide – but crews managed to save one prized possession.

Two homes have been destroyed by ferocious fires, with one causing half a million dollars in damage.

A blaze broke out inside a home on Day Tce, Croydon, just before 12.30am on Tuesday, with 20 firefighters and police rushing to the scene.

Crews arrived to find the house engulfed in flames at the front of the property, but they were able to access the home and contain the fire in half an hour.

The occupants escaped the house before fire crews arrived, and the neighbouring properties were not affected.

Fire Investigators are going to the scene to determine how the blaze started, while police say early investigations indicate the fire was suspicious.

The damage is currently estimated at $300,000.

Firefighters battled a blaze at Gawler South last night, then another fire broke out at Day Tce, Croydon just before 12.30am. Picture Roger Wyman

It comes after another fire destroyed a home in Adelaide’s north on Monday night.

Emergency services were called to Adelaide Rd, Gawler South around 9pm, after reports of house fire.

On arrival, the 32 firefighters found the house engulfed in flames that had reached the roof.

As crews battled the blaze the roof collapsed – forcing firefighters to try to contain it from above, which took about 45 minutes.

A neighbour’s smoke alarm activated and they were able to alert the home occupants, who evacuated before firefighters arrived.

The home was completely destroyed but crews managed to save the homeowner’s war medals.

Fire investigators went to the scene and determined the fire started accidentally, with the damage set at about $500,000.