November 6th 2024.
Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into a fire that has caused significant damage to a historic home in South Australia. The property, which has been part of the community for 164 years, was engulfed in flames after a loud explosion woke up nearby residents at 5am.
One neighbor described the explosion as so powerful that it shook their entire room and caused them to jump out of bed. The blast was so intense that it blew off the roof and shattered glass across Aldinga Road. As a safety precaution, those living in the area were asked to evacuate while firefighters worked to control the blaze.
According to Darren Saunders of the Country Fire Service, the explosion was likely the cause of the fire. Investigators believe that the fire may have been intentionally set, as the property has been unoccupied for some time.
The old cottage, which was built in 1860, holds significant value to the local community and is listed as part of the area's heritage. Paddy O'Toole, chair of the National Trust of South Australia, expressed the community's sadness over the loss of this treasured piece of history. "It's got some beautiful heritage features, it's on our local heritage list and Willunga we care a lot about our heritage so this is a blow," O'Toole said.
In a moment of bravery, neighbors took it upon themselves to try and prevent the fire from spreading to their own homes by using hoses to douse the flames from their fence line. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident as the home was unoccupied at the time.
For the latest updates on this developing story and other breaking news, be sure to download the 9News app. Stay informed and receive notifications straight to your smartphone with our easy-to-use app, available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
