Croydon Motors Ridleyton destroyed in suspicious New Year’s Day fire
An iconic mechanical workshop in Adelaide’s northwest was tragically reduced to ashes on New Year’s Day, with investigators treating the blaze as “suspicious”.
Firefighters battled the flames for almost an hour, but the empty workshop was destroyed; This was a tragic outcome after the death of the workshop’s beloved owner, Konstantinos Petrakos, a few months earlier.
Croydon Motors, on South Rd in Ridleyton, was a “legendary business” with Mr Petrakos serving the community for more than 60 years.
According to The Advertiser, the establishment was home to “one of the hardest-working mechanics in Adelaide”.
Mr Petrakos emigrated to Australia in 1964, shortly before opening the doors of Croydon Motors.
“RIP Kon saw his repair shop burnt down,” Djloanni Kass said after the fire on Friday.
While dozens of firefighters were trying to stop the fire that engulfed the building around 16.30 on Thursday, dense black smoke emerged from the mechanical workshop, which opened in 1972.
The fire spread to the neighboring building.
It was learned that there were no injuries in the fire.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000.
