Staff and customers were evacuated from Foster’s Airport supermarket around midday Tuesday due to a fire breaking out in the store.
Fire crews attended the scene of the incident, which was caused by an electrical fault in the chilled produce section.
Foster’s confirmed later in the day that there were no injuries to staff or the public due to the incident.
Smoke inside the store was visible from the car park and firemen were seen emerging from the store wearing special breathing apparatus.
Chief operations officer for Foster’s, Ulises Gomez, told the Compass that the store was likely to remain closed until at least 7pm while the smoke was cleared and the store made completely safe. He said that neighbouring Priced Right, which is also temporarily closed, might reopen earlier.
Police were directing traffic past the scene, leading to long tailbacks in the surrounding area, including along Dorcy Drive and Crewe Road.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Foster’s said it was taking “extensive measures to adhere to public safety and uphold our products’ high standards of freshness”.
It said that, out of an abundance of caution, it was removing all fresh bakery, deli, meat, seafood, produce items, and any exposed plates or cutlery from the store.
“Shelves are being cleared, and a dedicated team of Foster’s and Reliable Industries staff will operate throughout the night to thoroughly clean, sanitize, and restock each affected area,” it said.
It added that its team would be recutting meat, seafood, and produce to ensure the products are freshly prepared, sorted, and properly wrapped for customers.
“Though a relatively minor fire, addressing the disruption it caused is a significant undertaking. To that end, we appreciate the patience and support of our community as we prioritize your well-being and ensure our store is ready to welcome you back better than ever,” it said.
The store has since reopened.
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