‘Absolutely devastated’: Darwin business Carcom Installations gutted by huge blaze

The operators of a business gutted by flames have thanked the good Samaritans who helped limit the scale of the damage. SEE THE VIDEO

THE operators of a business gutted by flames have thanked the good Samaritans who helped limit the scale of the damage.

NT Police are investigating an industrial structure fire at Carcom Installations on Bishop St, Woolner on Thursday night.

Fire investigators said the blaze spread to two adjoining properties.

Neighbouring firm Darwin Auto Mobile Care, and another business, were significantly damaged, with other nearby properties, including Darwin Recycling, potentially impacted.

Darwin Auto Mobile Care reached out to customers following the devastating fire.

NTFES Firegighters douse the smouldering ruins of the Woolner fire on Friday morning. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“We are saddened to inform you we are closed tomorrow,” the buiness operators wrote on Facebook.

“We are absolutely devastated for our neighbours who have suffered monumental losses.”

The automotive repair shop is located next to the building where the blaze broke out.

The business operators said the shared wall with 14 Bishop St would require structural approval prior to returning to work.

“Thank you Emergency Services for your outstanding work, we are extremely fortunate to have both our buildings saved,” Darwin Auto Mobile Care said on Facebook.

“To the scores of good Samaritans that helped clear the vehicles and potential fuel sources, thank you.

“We will be reaching out to all customers that may be affected to reschedule, we will endeavour to catch up.”

The CarCom Installations business ablaze on Bishop St, Winellie. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The executive director of nearby operation, Gymnastics Nothern Territory, Jayde Martin said they were unaffected by the fire because thir building was a couple of doors down.

“(It’s) business as usual for us,” she said.

“The fire has had zero effect on Gymnastics NT.

“We thank the fireys for doing such a good job containing the fire and reducing its impact on the surrounding buildings.

“(We’re) really glad no one was hurt and hope the businesses that were affected are OK and can move forward from this.”

The fire-affected Bishop St businesses know the devasting effects structural fires can cause all too well.

Darwin’s largest food supply warehouse was gutted by a massive fire on Bishop St four years ago.

About 17 firefighters fought a massive blaze at Asian United Food inthe same street in Woolner for several hours in the early hours of May 16, 2018.

The food wholesaler supplied to restaurants across the city and the Royal Darwin Hospital.

NT Police said at the time that the building was fully engulfed in flames but fire crews managed to stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings and vehicles.

The only thing to remain of the warehouse were the cold stores because of firewalls.

Since then, the business has built a new 4000 square metre warehouse complex in its place on Bishop St.