THE arson squad is investigating a $500,000 fire at Fridge and Washer City in O’Connor.

The blaze at the South Street premises is believed to have started around 3am Wednesday and is being treated as suspicious.

Store manager Colin Poklepovich says only the warehouse was affected, with the shop remaining open.

“It’s a family-run business and we were all really shocked by what happened,” he says.

• Damage caused by the fire at Fridge and Washer City. Photo by Matthew Dwyer

“As far as I know it’s suspicious as the fire was started from outside the building, not the inside.

“There’s so much structural damage, the warehouse will have to be pulled down.

“We’ve only got floor stock now, but we’re still open for business.”

Thirty firefighters from six brigades attended and South Street was closed from Stockdale to Hines Roads.

The blaze was so intense a smoke warning was issued.