General News
28 May, 2025
Flames light up Laidlaw Street
RESIDENTS at the southern end of Ararat were startled in the early hours of Friday morning, May 16 when a well-known structure at the corner of Vincent and Laidlaw Street went up in flames.
The building, affectionately referred to by locals as The South Store, was extensively damaged in the blaze which was brought under control by Country Fire Authority crews from Ararat and Great Western.
A CFA spokesperson confirmed this week the fire was deemed to be “not suspicious.”
Laidlaw Street resident Katie Leeke and her partner Mark Lardner was shocked and surprised to wake up to the fire raging across the road.
“Definitely not what you expect to wake up to, that’s for sure,” said Ms Leeke.
“I reckon I probably would have slept through it if Mark hadn’t woken me up, he’s the one who heard all the popping and banging.”
The sounds outside initially had them wondering if perhaps someone was breaking into a vehicle or trailer.
“I heard the banging and thought it might be someone hitting Mark’s trailer with a cricket bat or something like that.”
After a quick look out the window Ms Leeke could see there was no-one outside, prompting her to venture out to investigate.
“I went out on the front porch and that’s when I looked up and saw the little flame and a little bit of smoke.
“I could hear the popping and was like ‘oh my gosh that is what I think it is’, so I raced inside and said ‘where is my phone? There’s a fire, I’ve got to call triple zero!’
While Ms Leeke was on the phone with emergency services, her partner Mr Lardner was sprung into action in case there was anyone in need of assistance inside as the fire rapidly grew and engulfed the building.
“Mark jumped out of bed so quick, threw his clothes on and ran down to the store,” said Ms Leeke. “He was really worried, yelling out ‘is anyone in there?’
“By that time the whole front window was orange.”
Ms Leeke said it was the second time fire crews had descended on Laidlaw Street this month after a power pole directly across the road from The South Store caught fire.
The power pole incident was confirmed by a CFA spokesperson who said three CFA vehicles attended the scene on Laidlaw Street at 8.31pm Tuesday, May 8 where they encountered a fire at the top of the pole.
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