Fire devastates Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation building causing $400,000 in damage

A fire devastated a local Aboriginal health service building in South Hedland last week, causing nearly half a million dollars in damage. Wirraka Maya Health Service Aboriginal Corporation went up in flames about 6.30am on October 4, with dozens of fire fighters responding to the emergency which was believed to be sparked by an electrical fault. It took more than an hour and a half for firefighters to battle the raging inferno, which left a hefty damage bill of $400,000 for the Hamilton Road building. A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said no one was inside the building at the time of the blaze and no injuries were sustained. Firefighters were first alerted to the fire after a member of the public spotted smoke coming from the building and called triple-zero. Wirraka Maya took to Facebook on Tuesday afternoon to alert their patients of the fire and that the health service would be closed for two days while they underwent repairs. “Due to an electrical fire on the premises, WMHSAC will be closed for rest of today the 4th of October and Wednesday the 5th of October while we work to have the required repairs and cleaning done,” the post read. “We will be back to normal operating hours Thursday the 6th of October at 8.30 am. “Patients requiring their medications including webster packs will be able to get these from the Pharmacy at the South Hedland Shopping Centre.” WMHSAC apologised for the inconvenienced caused and thanked people for their understanding. The fire was deemed non-suspicious by DFES.