Residents tell of their terror as suspicious fire rips through barber shop on Prospect Rd

A suspicious fire has ripped through a barber shop near the city in the early hours of Friday, with locals reporting hearing “gunshots” earlier in the night.

Police are investigating a suspiciously lit fire at an inner northern suburbs barber shop this morning, as residents report hearing “gunshots” earlier in the night.

Emergency services were called to Prospect Rd at Prospect after receiving reports of a blaze inside Saeid barber shop about 12.30am.

The shop sustained significant damage despite the fire crews arriving quickly on scene.

Fire techs believe the fire was deliberately lit after completing an initial investigation – and the distraught shop owner has taken to social media to offer a $5000 reward.

Local residents were shocked by the latest suspicious fire to strike Adelaide, this time in up-market Prospect.

“I thought I was living in a very safe neighbourhood,” 29-year-old local resident Hakyeon Chung said.

“I heard some gunshots, and then there was heaps of smoke everywhere.

“Then there were police and sirens – it’s definitely not the sound that you were expecting.”

“I thought I was in America to be honest.”

Two other neighbours, who wished not to be named, also reported sounds similar to gunshots.

One mother described Thursday night’s scene as she dressed her son for preschool the next morning.

“Around 7pm young people were doing burnouts on the street – they do this every afternoon,” she said.

Inside the barber shop there was obvious smoke and fire damage with broken glass laying around the windows.

Western district detectives are investigating the incident and ask anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area or has information that may assist to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

This comes after shots were fired at a North Plympton barber shop last week. However there is no suggestion the two incidents are related.

A suspicious fire damaged Saeid barber shop in Prospect in the early hours of Friday morning. Picture: Dean Martin

The burnt-out interior. Picture: Dean Martin

The owner is offering a $5000 reward to find the culprits. Picture: Dean Martin

The badly damaged interior. Picture: Dean Martin

It is understood at least five rounds had been fired into the door of KJ Barbers.

Police have since arrested a 48-year-old man and charged him with discharge firearm with intent, and possess firearm without a licence.

He was refused bail and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in February.