Northbridge Fire: Firefighters contain a fire that is destroying the Kakulas Brothers warehouse in Northbridge
A wildfire fueled by cooking oils has destroyed food wholesaler Kakulas Brothers in Northbridge, with staff and customers managing to evacuate unharmed.
The fire broke out at the Wellman Street store around 12.20pm Monday, with at least 50 firefighters rushing to the scene to try to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.
By 3:30 p.m., the fire was contained but not controlled as an aerial unit fought flames in the middle of the building.
Crews were unable to enter the building over fears that the structure might collapse.
WATCH DRAMATIC PHOTOS OF THE FIRE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE
Department of Fire and Services Regional Superintendent Andy Hilton said the ferocity of the fire, which started in the kitchen, destroyed everything inside, but thankfully all staff and customers managed to escape unharmed.
A Kalulas Brothers van driver was one of the first responders at the scene and confirmed that everyone inside was captured.
“On arrival the fire had spread pretty much throughout the building preventing anyone from entering,” Mr Hinton said.
“One of our biggest concerns is the structural integrity of the building… the roof has collapsed but the walls remain intact.”
Power to the business block has been shut off and will remain so for at least the next three hours.
Fortunately, the emergency services managed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighboring companies.
“With any building fire, there’s always a risk of one fire spreading to the next, especially in a city that had common walls,” Hinton said.
Surrounding shops – mainly Asian food markets – had to be evacuated for safety reasons.
The owner of the Lido restaurant on William Street said he was on the roof of his shop cleaning an air conditioning filter when he saw flames leaking three meters away about five minutes later.
“It was scary … we were all told to get out, I was only there to clean up because every Monday is my day off,” he said.
A Changs Market employee said that as a co-entrepreneur, she empathizes with the owners and employees of Kakula’s Brothers.
Parts of William Street and Robinson Street are also closed and a heavy smoke alert has been issued in the area.
Mr Hinton said firefighters endured a challenging afternoon in 36 degree heat and were concerned about fatigue.
DFES has urged people to stay away from the area but if they are already there to follow instructions from emergency services personnel.
A large plume of black smoke rising from the roof has faded, suggesting firefighters are putting out the blaze.
DFES warns the smoke is potentially hazardous and will be blown in a northeasterly direction.
“As a precaution, people in the area should stay indoors, with the doors and windows closed, out of the smoke or fumes,” the council said.
“Air conditioners should also be turned off.”
Wellman Street runs parallel to William Street – home to several restaurants – where police have cordoned off a large stretch of road from Brisbane Street to Newcastle Street.
Wellman Street has been closed to motorists but remains open to the public.
The warehouse, which stores spices and continental goods, also parallels listed houses on Brookman Street.
Eyewitnesses said the heat from the fire could be felt 100 meters away.
Police and St. John WA were on standby at the scene.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Kakulas Brothers is a celebrated family-owned culinary institution in Perth, established nearly 94 years ago at 185-187 William St.
The business started out selling local groceries, but thrived as more European immigrants arrived, selling imported products that were not readily available at the time.
In the 1990s it expanded rapidly in the hands of the next generation of the family, including the purchase of the Wellman Street warehouse, freeing up space at the rear of the store.
