Demolition begins at Stirling Village shopping centre after massive Woolworths blaze

Demolition has officially begun after fire tore through an Adelaide Hills supermarket, razing nearby businesses and destroying the popular mall.

The former site of an Adelaide Hills supermarket has been reduced to rubble after a massive blaze gutted the building last year.

Demolition has begun on the Stirling Village mall, which was destroyed in an alleged arson attack that caused shoppers to flee for their lives.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze after crews were called to Woolworths at the Stirling Village shopping centre in October last year, following reports a fire ignited in the aisles.

Plumes of toxic smoke were sent over the Hills town when the mega blaze took hold, which damaged nearby businesses and forced the centre to be evacuated.

A centre management spokesman told The Advertiser they understood it would be “some time” before construction was expected to be completed on the site, but they were not aware of a scheduled completion date.

Damage inside Woolworths at Stirling, which was destroyed by fire. Picture: Supplied

Demolition has begun on the Stirling Village mall. Picture: Supplied

Adjacent businesses were razed by the fire, with a damage bill estimated at $25m. Picture: Supplied

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.

Two 14-year-olds from Bridgewater and Heathfield were charged with arson over the blaze and appeared in Mount Barker Magistrates Court in December last year.

Bail was continued for both boys, who will next appear at the Adelaide Youth Court in January.

One boy was given the exception to travel interstate for a specific period of time.

Originally published as Demolition begins at Stirling Village shopping centre after massive Woolworths blaze