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Rockingham fire: Trio run from shop moments before devastating blaze

Brianna DuganThe West Australian
Rockingham fire.
Camera IconRockingham fire. Credit: The West Australian

Extraordinary footage has emerged showing the moment three people clad in balaclavas appear to run from a Rockingham barber shop just moments before it was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were called to the Freshman Barber Shop on Railway Terrance in Rockingham about 2.15am on Monday.

Supplied images of a fire that broke out in Rockingham
Camera IconThree people were filmed running from the area just before the blaze. Credit: WA Incident Alerts/WA Incident Alerts
Supplied images of a fire that broke out in Rockingham
Camera IconFirefighters rushed to the blaze. Credit: WA Incident Alerts/Supplied

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They arrived to find large flames and heavy smoke billowing from the building. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

The building suffered severe damage, with the contents inside almost unrecognisable.

Mobile phone footage shows three people running from the scene wearing dark clothing and balaclavas. As they run down the street, an orange haze erupts behind them.

Another video from a shocked witness showed the building up in flames.

Firefighters took 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
Camera IconFirefighters took 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Witness, Max, who did not want his surname used, was driving around the area with a few friends when he saw “three men all dressed in black with weapons” head for the shop.

“(They had) axes and hammers and a jerry can,” he claimed.

“They headed for the shop and seconds later we heard loud bangs on the glass.

“Not long after, the building went up in flames.”

Max said he already saw people on the phone to police, and waited until they arrived.

No injuries were reported, although neighbouring shops including a BWS and nail salon had water damage to them.

Paul Curran, the licensee of neighbouring business, Raine and Horne Rockingham, said his building suffered smoke damage but returned to business as usual after noon.

“The building doesn’t look good,” he said. “The whole shop front has been destroyed. The internals of it are going to have to be replaced.”

Police have deemed the fire as suspicious and the arson squad is investigating.

Rockingham Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to make a report online.

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