Fire rips through Alice Springs Hosetech, owners ‘devastated’ as building a ‘complete loss’

A fierce inferno has gutted a local business in Alice Springs, leaving the owners ‘devastated’. Read what we know.

An Alice Springs business has been gutted in an inferno, with the building a “complete loss” and the owners “devastated”.

About 6am on Friday, emergency services responded to a blaze on the premises of Alice Hosetech and Industrial Supplies, on George Crescent.

Truck driver Jeff Dodds said he was one of the first on the scene and called triple-0 after he pulled over as he witnessed an orange glow coming from the building.

He said he arrived at a quarter past six, and assisted the owner by getting a Ford Ftruck out of the premises.

“It’s not something you’d wish on anyone,” he said.

Alice Hosetech owner Natasha Mowles (left) watches the fire. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Alice Springs Hosetech is owned by Andrew and Natasha Mowles.

The business is on George Cres, near the cul-de-sac which is close to Larapinta Dr.

On Friday morning, Larapinta Dr and George Cres were closed as firefighters battled to control the blaze.

A fire has gutted Hosetech in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Mrs Mowles could be seen in tears on Larapinta Dr, watching the fireys fight to control the blaze.

When approached for comment, she asked for privacy. Friends and family were there to support her.

At the scene, an NT News reporter observed numerous gas bottles next to the blaze and heard some explosions coming from the fire.

Gas bottles on the wall of the burning building. A fire has gutted Hosetech in Alice Springs, March 28, 2025. Picture: Gera Kazakov

When speaking at the scene, acting deputy chief fire officer Stephen Hunter said the crews “undertook tactics to protect those cylinders to make sure they didn’t explode”.

A cause was yet to be determined, Mr Hunter said, as firefighters had moved inside the building to continue to fight the fire.

“I know the business owners are on site and have seen they’re quite devastated. You can see it appears to be a complete loss to the structure and their business and they’re absolutely devastated that family,” he said.

Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“You can safely assume that there is significant damage to what’s inside and all their stock and holdings could have been part of that.”

With the roof collapsed, crews were “being very cautious” when trying to enter the building, Mr Hunter said.

On the scene, police were assisting with a drone, which was highlighting the hot zones so firefighters could target the blaze, Mr Hunter said.

No injuries have been reported so far.

A man watches the Hosetech fire in Alice Springs, March 28, 2025. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Footage uploaded by Action for Alice shows firefighters battling the blaze.

NT Police confirmed traffic diversions had also been implemented, but the road was back open by 8.20am.

With smoke still billowing out of the building, Mr Hunter warned those with health conditions to stay indoors and close to their windows.