SA police believe fire deliberately started at Campbelltown barber shop

Crime scene investigators have been combing a northeastern suburbs barber shop for clues after a suspicious blaze erupted early on Friday morning.

Police are investigating a suspicious fire that broke out at a Campbelltown barber shop early on Friday morning.

Just before 5am, emergency services were alerted to the blaze at Huncho Barber on Lower North East Rd, with witnesses saying they saw smoke billowing from the roof.

Firefighters raced to the scene but the fire, which is believed to be deliberately lit, didn’t appear to take hold and self-extinguished in the roof space causing only minor damage.

Suspicious circumstances surround a fire at a Campbelltown barber shop. Source: George Yankovich

Crime scene investigators pictured on the roof examining a crawl space above the barber shop. Picture: George Yankovich

Eastern CIB detectives and crime scene investigators spent the morning examining the scene. Officers were seen on the roof examining a crawl space above the barber shop, returning with several evidence bags.

The barber shop is one of three shopfronts attached to the same building and sits next door to a tobacco accessory store.

Owner Raqeb Shannun arrived to open it at 8am and said he had no connection to the adjacent business.

He said there was “no damage” the building and in five years at the location they “never had an issue”.

“The cops told me that somebody tried to climb onto the roof and the fire went out by itself,” Mr Shannun said.

“We’re fine and we’re going to be open today.”

Mr Shannun said he did not believe his business was the intended target.
“At the end of the day, everybody is trying to go out there and work, make some money, and feed their families because times are tough these days – nobody wishes this on anyone,” he said.

When the fire broke out, local worker Rose Zumpo, 63, was across the road at Mercato Bar doing food preparation for the day.

She said she saw and heard no commotion, but the next thing she knew, five fire engines had turned up outside.

“I heard the fire engines arriving just after 5am, and I went outside to have a look, but it didn’t look like there were any flames,” Ms Zumpo said.

“There was a bit of smoke coming from the roof but no fire at all.

“I’ve never seen anything suspicious there – just boys cutting hair.”

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers online or on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.

Originally published as SA police believe fire deliberately started at Campbelltown barber shop