A large fire has destroyed a Sikh temple in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
The alarm was first raised just after 9.30pm on Sunday night, with reports of flames and smoke coming from the Gurudwara Dashmesh Darbar Virginia temple, on Old Port Wakefield Rd.
The entire structure of the Gurudwara Dashmesh Darbar Virginia temple has been left gutted as a result of the fire, with sections of the roof caving in and melting.
The blaze has left one building barely standing, with another burned extensively revealing the wooden structure.
Parts of a roller door appear to have been cut open by fire crews as they battled the blaze, with daylight revealing the extensive damage.
Dozens who worship at the temple arrived on Monday morning to see the damage, gathering at the gates of the temple.
Crews are working with president Bakshish Singh to retrieve what might be left of the temple’s holy books and scriptures, with an excavator called in to help rescue efforts.
More than 60 CFS firefighters, supported by SA Ambulance Service and SA Metropolitan Fire Service firefighters worked to contain the fire and fire crews managed to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring properties.
A post on social media released by the temple said the building suffered extensive damage.
“According to firefighters, the building is completely finished from the inside,” the Gurudwara Dashmesh Darbar Virginia post said.
“We have given them information about the location of the forms of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
“Let us all pray together that the holy form of Satguru Ji should not be burnt by fire. Confirmation on this is expected by tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.”
Gurudwara Dashmesh Darbar Virginia president Bakshish Singh said it was a “heartbreaking day” from Adelaide’s Sikh community.
“I received a phone call from the bypasser on the road that you guys are having a fire at one corner of the building,” he said.
“I called triple-0, and emergency services reached there within 10 minutes but the fire was so significant that it just travelled throughout the building within 10 to 15 minutes.”
Mr Singh said he tried to save the scriptures and bibles as the fire broke out.
“When I saw the fire was on the top of the building …. but we could see the flames coming through the green building and from the topside of it,” Mr Singh recounted.
“Me and three other guys tried to go in but obviously firefighters stopped us, they said the fire is in the roof and the roof can collapse at any minute.
Mr Singh said those who had gathered were quite anxious as recovery efforts for those scriptures took place.
“We want to recover them and at least the remains of them so we can cremate them,” he said.
“We treat them as a person.”
It is believed the fire started in the kitchen although it was not used in the evening prior to the fire.
He said the temple was open every day and attendance would swell to up to 400 people on the weekends.
The CFS issued a smoke warning for the Virginia township, Old Port Wakefield Road, Sheedy Road, Port Wakefield Highway, Juniper Boulevard, Penfield Road in Virginia.
Fire Cause Investigators have been called to attend and determine a cause.
According to the Gurudwara Dashmesh Darbar Virginia’s website, the temple “stands as a sacred home of worship, unity and service for the Sikh community” in Adelaide’s north.
It was established in 2024 and is considered a “spiritual sanctuary where the divine teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji” guides its community towards compassion, equality and peace.