Police investigate after Darlington house destroyed in ‘deliberate’ fire

A house in Adelaide’s south has been destroyed in fire that police say was deliberately lit, with the homeowner left devastated after losing nearly 50 years of memories.

Jeff Padget stood outside his southern suburbs house in disbelief on Saturday as he watched nearly half a century of memories and belongings go up in smoke.

To add salt to his wounds, he feared it was deliberate — and someone he knew. Detectives are now investigating, hunting the accused arsonist.

Police were called to the empty Aaron Ave, Darlington, home just before 3pm on Saturday.

The blaze destroyed his property of 45 years. Authorities estimate a damage bill of up to $150,000.

MFS firefighters at the Darlington home, which was destroyed by fire. Picture: AAP / Dean Martin

Homeowner Jeff Paget has lost everything. Picture: AAP / Dean Martin

“I’m devastated … It’s 45 years of my life and it’s all gone,” Mr Padget told the Sunday Mail at the scene.

Mr Padget, 63, a full-time carer, feared the worst.

Police are investigating whether this person later returned to vandalise the house and leave the stove burners on.

“(They) smashed up the inside of my house … (they’re) angry, what are you going to do?”

“I didn’t expect someone to do something as dumb as this. Someone’s deliberately turned it on.”

Mr Padget had been temporarily living away from his residence due to work demands.

He was at his property on Thursday to clean out his letter box but did not do any cooking while home. He has no contents insurance and is fearful of the future.

Mr Paget speaks to investigators at the scene. Picture: AAP / Dean Martin

Mr Paget outside his home, which he believes was deliberately destroyed. Picture: AAP / Dean Martin

“Everything looks black,” he said. “Photo albums and things that are irreplaceable … this is part of my life and it’s up in flames.”

Police believe the fire was deliberately lit and Southern District CIB detectives are investigating. An MFS spokeswoman said the circumstances were suspicious.

Originally published as Police investigate after Darlington house destroyed in ‘deliberate’ fire