Smithfield resident Cricket Fox lost her husband days before Christmas as grassfire adds to her stress

A northern suburbs resident on the cusp of the blaze that threatened a major shopping centre and homes said the fire was the ‘culmination of a tough Christmas’ for her due to recently losing her partner.

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A grassfire threatened residents and a major shopping centre in the northern suburbs on Christmas Day – with a close call for one family.

The MFS and police were called to Morialta Drive, in Smithfield, about 12.30pm on Christmas Day after the alarm was raised about a grassfire behind the Munno Para Shopping Centre. Amid concerns from locals as the blaze threatened, the fire was eventually extinguished just metres from the retail hub and homes.

Scenes from the Smithfield grass fire that burnt in a direction towards Boddington Street, Donnington Street and Konanda Road. Picture: Emma Brasier

Konanda Rd resident Cricket Fox said the fire was the culmination of a tough Christmas for her.

Ms Fox, who lost her partner to lung disease just days before Christmas, was at home with her stepson when she saw the fire approaching.

She looked outside and saw “just a ball of smoke”.

“I went and told the stepson and he came back out, and it was just racing towards us,” she said.

She said her stepson grabbed the hose to spray down the front yard and then the approaching fire.

Ms Fox said she missed her partner but it was “a good thing” he didn’t have to experience the fire “because of his breathing”.

Cricket Fox 61yrs in her front yard with the backdrop of the Smithfield grass fire that burnt in a direction towards Boddington Street, Donnington Street and Konanda Road. Picture: Emma Brasier

The fire threat was reduced by about 2pm but the MFS advised locals to be on alert for any flare-ups.

Another family in Konanda Rd had a close call when embers were blown into their front yard. The owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said it was “scary”.

She said firefighters and neighbours came to her aid and managed to swiftly put out the fire.

“We really appreciate their work,” she said.

Neighbour Clara Toledo, whose husband helped the neighbours, said that it was the second time a fire had threatened their homes at Christmas.

“Two years ago it happened, too, but it wasn’t really big – but this was very scary for us because it’s so dry,” she said.

An MFS spokeswoman said multiple crews had battled the blaze. As it worsened – fanned by gusty winds – residents had been urged to leave.

Scenes from the Smithfield grass fire that burnt in a direction towards Boddington Street, Donnington Street and Konanda Road. Picture: Emma Brasier

“This grass fire may threaten your safety,” the warning from the MFS said.

“Check that the path is clear and go to a safer place. Do not enter this area as conditions are dangerous.”

Police evacuated several streets as 19 water drops from planes contained the damage to 11ha of grass.

An ignition point was traced to the nearby Gawler train line. It is not yet clear whether the fire was deliberately lit or accidental.

Meanwhile, a total fire ban has been announced for Boxing Day across the Mount Lofty Ranges, the West Coast District, the Upper South-East, Murraylands, Riverland and Mid North.

Jonathan Fischer, an emergency services meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said a strong cool change was expected later on Thursday, bringing with it some reduced fire conditions.

CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin warned residents in the affected areas to take the risk seriously, urging people to avoid high-risk activities.

“If you’ve got new power tools for Christmas, then Boxing Day is not the day to be outside trying them out,” he said.

Originally published as Smithfield resident Cricket Fox lost her husband days before Christmas as grassfire adds to her stress