Arson charges against Bridgewater and Heathfield 16-year-olds dropped prior to trial

It caused $25m in damage, but all charges have been dropped against the two teens accused of starting a massive fire that destroyed an Adelaide Hills Woolies last year. Find out why.

South Australia Police has confirmed the “carefully considered” reason charges against two youth arrested for a fire at the Stirling Woolworths were withdrawn.

On Friday, a police spokesman confirmed that the decision was made after “careful consideration of all currently available evidence”.

“The decision to withdraw charges was made as there was no reasonable prospect of conviction,” the police spokesman said.

The charges against the two teens were in relation to a fire that caused more than $25 million in damages and destroyed the Adelaide Hills supermarket.

The 16-year-old from Heathfield – who was still charged with one count each of arson of a building or motor vehicle – faced the Adelaide Youth Court on Friday.

During the hearing before Magistrate John Wells, prosecutors tendered no evidence and the charge was dismissed.

Both teenagers were arrested following the $25 million fire that destroyed the Stirling Woolworths are no longer criminally charged. Picture: Jessica Dempster

Neither 16-year-old is alleged to have started the fire. Picture: Jessica Dempster

It comes after earlier that week, prosecutors tendered no evidence against the second 16-year-old, from Bridgewater, and withdrew a charge of arson against him.

During that hearing, prosecutors told the court that the Youth Court trial, scheduled to start on December 23, would be vacated as they were “seeking some time to consider how we proceed”.

The teens were both arrested shortly after a fire broke out in the Stirling Woolworths on October 15, 2023, about 2.15pm.

Fire and smoke destroyed the inside of Woolworths and some nearby businesses. Picture: Supplied

Video footage of the fire was captured by witnesses prior to evacuating the centre. Picture: 7 NEWS

They were each charged with one count of arson, which caused more than $25m of damage, destroyed the supermarket and caused significant smoke, water and other damage to the other stores in the mall, forcing their closure.

They pleaded not guilty in September, with the court hearing there would be approximately eight witnesses called to give evidence, including two civilian witnesses – “an off duty police officer and husband”.

There was also to be evidence tendered from surrounding business owners about the extent of the damage, CCTV from the day of the fire and data collected from the boys’ mobile phones.

Adjacent businesses, including Green Dispensary and Stirling Variety Meats — which lost up to $15,000 worth of stock and $150,000 worth of machinery — have been forced to close or relocate in the wake of the fire.

Originally published as Arson charges against Bridgewater and Heathfield 16-year-olds dropped prior to trial