Police unable to rule out if ‘intense’ fire at Carcom Installations is suspicious

Police are still investigating the cause of an intense fire that erupted at a Woolner business late on Thursday. SEE THE VIDEO

UPDATE 5PM, FRI: POLICE are still investigating the cause of an intense fire that tore through two businesses in Woolner.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the Bishop St flame at 7.20pm on Thursday to combat the blaze.

The exact nature and cause of the fire remains unknown, with police unable to rule out if the blaze was suspicious.

UPDATE 3PM, FRI: FIRE crews battled a ferocious “intense” blaze that ripped through two businesses in Woolner.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Joshua Fischer said emergency services were called to a huge structural fire at Bishop St, Woolner about 7.20pm on Thursday evening.

Mr Fischer said the first firefighters at the scene of the blaze faced “significant flames” rising through the roof of a business.

He said firefighters were forced to break through the metal entrance of the locked business to enter the burning building.

The crews from below were backed up by Bronto aerial firefighting unit, which have the capacity to raise firefighters 45m above the blaze to “fight the fire from above”.

“To try and penetrate water through the roof of through other tactical areas of the building,” he said.

He said crews from the Darwin, Marrara and Berrimah stations used heavy urban pumps, rural tankers and other appliances to dose the blaze in water.

“It was a hot and intense fire internal to the structure, that obviously meant we needed to take a defensive firefighting approach,” Mr Fischer said.

“Crews worked tirelessly to protect the adjoining properties nearby.

“Unfortunately there was some damage done ... in terms of smoke and heat-related damage.

“But thankfully the fire did not spread from the main central part of the building.”

Mr Fischer said two businesses who shared the space where the blaze concentrated were “significantly impacted. (There’s) lots of structural damage”.

He said firefighters remained at the scene for more than 24 hours inspecting the burnt wreckage.

NTFES Firegighters douse the remaining smouldering ruins of a Business Fire overnight Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Fischer said a number of firefighters were assessed by paramedics as the worked in shifts battling the intense blaze.

“A number of our firefighters were assessed by St Johns paramedics as the course of the incident unfolded, just to ensure their health and wellbeing was being monitored,” he said.

UPDATE 11AM, FRI: Assistant Chief Fire Officer Joshua Fischer said there is extensive damage to the automotive-electrical shop and neighbouring businesses due to a huge blaze.

Emergency services were called to a huge structural fire at Woolner at about 7.20pm on Thursday evening.

Mr Fischer said about 25 fireys and support crews fought the blaze.

Fire crews were released to their normal fire stations at hours later at 11pm.

“There’s extensive damage,” he said.

“(Particularly) smoke and heat damage at this time.”

It was a busy night for firey as an additional ten incidents ranging to grass fires, fire alarms and road crashes occurred last night aside from the Woolner blaze.

“unfortunately structural fires are frequent. We have seen a rise in structure fires ranging more broadly across the Territory.

Mr Fischer said that commercial business owners were in the area at the time of the fire but not sure if anyone is injured.

“Investigations are still underway,” he said.

NTFES Firegighters douse the remaining smouldering ruins of a Business Fire overnight Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Nothing is ruled out at this time, all avenues are open.”

Mr Fischer urged people to avoid the area and said NT Police are currently at the scene and will direct as necessary.

“We are asking people to avoid the areas set up in Bishop St and Jolly St,” he said.

NT Fireys are dousing the remaining smoulder ruins at the premise where a structural fire occurred.

UPDATE 6AM FRI: NT Police are investigating the cause of a structure fire that devastated local businesses in Woolner on Thursday night.

Police say the fire was reported about 7.20pm with emergency services arriving shortly after.

Firefighters from Darwin, Marrara and Berrimah fire stations were on the scene of the blaze along with NT Police and St John NT.

Police said the huge blaze affected two other adjoining businesses on Bishop St and Jolly St.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Joshua Fischer said flames were visible from the roof of the premises when they arrived.

Car Com on Bishop St Winellie ablaze. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“First arriving firefighters gained access and commenced firefighting operations including the use of the Bronto aerial appliance to attack the fire from above,” he said.

“Firefighters successfully prevented the fire from spreading to other adjoining properties.

“The premises sustained significant damage and investigators are now looking into the cause of the fire.”

Windows of the building are completely shattered.

Police and fireys remained at the scene on Friday morning.

It is not known if anyone has been injured in the incident.

Originally published as Police unable to rule out if ‘intense’ fire at Carcom Installations is suspicious