Northbridge fire contained as damage limited

Emergency services have managed to containe a blaze in Northbridge that engulfed Kakulas Brothers’ wholesale warehouse earlier this afternoon.

Fire services were called at 12:20pm to respond to a fire at the kitchen in Kakulas Brothers Food Wholesalers on Wellman Street, with police closing William Street between Newcastle Street and Robinson Avenue.

All those in the building were accounted for and no injuries have been sustained, with 50 firefighters deployed to fight the blaze.

St John Ambulance, Western Power and Water Corporation personnel were also in attendance.

Addressing media this afternoon, Department of Fire and Emergency Services superintendent Andy Hinton said that, while the roof had collapsed, common walls had remained intact and there had been no fire spread or damage to neighbouring buildings.

Mr Hinton said structural integrity was of paramount concern upon arrival.

"There's always a risk with every structure fire, particularly in the inner city where you have common walls, that the fire will spread to the next building," he said.

"Primarily, that's built around common roof.

"That wasn't the circumstance here.

"There was immediate actions and priority to maintain the fire within the building, and [spread] didn't occur, so it was successful.

"It was a concern."

Despite positive developments, Mr Hinton appeared realistic about the extent of damage inside the building.

"I would not hold out any hope for there being anything salvageable," he said.

Northbridge is home to dozens of heritage-listed houses, with William Street a popular destination for visitors given its concentration of trendy restaurants, bars and specialist grocery stores.

Pedestrians are bring urged to avoid the area and residents encouraged to remain inside with windows closed and air-conditioner units turned off while personnel continue to bring the blaze under control.