AI Generated Summary
- A major fire has completely destroyed Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar in Virginia, on Adelaide’s northern outskirts, leaving the local Sikh community devastated and raising serious concerns over the fate of sacred Guru Granth Sahib saroops.
- Gurdwara management said it was too early to confirm the condition of the saroops as the collapsed roof had fallen onto the Palki Sahib.
- As investigators continue their work and the community waits for confirmation on the holy saroops, local Sikhs have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their place of worship while expressing gratitude that no lives were lost.
A major fire has completely destroyed Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar in Virginia, on Adelaide’s northern outskirts, leaving the local Sikh community devastated and raising serious concerns over the fate of sacred Guru Granth Sahib saroops.
The blaze broke out around 10–10:30 pm on Sunday night in the kitchen of the langar hall. Within minutes, flames spread rapidly to the main prayer hall. Multiple explosions were heard as the intense fire tore through the building, causing large sections, including the roof of the main hall, to collapse. The Sunday evening diwan had concluded about an hour earlier.
Around 60 firefighters from the Metropolitan Fire Service and Country Fire Service battled the inferno for several hours. They successfully prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties, but the gurdwara itself was left in ruins. A smoke warning was issued for surrounding areas including Old Port Wakefield Road, Sheedy Road and Port Wakefield Highway.
No injuries were reported. South Australia Police and fire investigators have launched a probe into the cause, which remains unknown.
The greatest anxiety within the community centres on the holy scriptures. Gurdwara management said it was too early to confirm the condition of the saroops as the collapsed roof had fallen onto the Palki Sahib. Efforts are underway to carefully cut through and remove the debris so the status of the sacred texts can be verified. Community members fear several saroops may have been lost in the blaze.
Temple president Bakshish Singh described the loss as heartbreaking. He said the community hoped to recover the remains of any damaged scriptures so they could be cremated in accordance with Sikh traditions.
Established in 2024, Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar had quickly become an important spiritual and social hub for Adelaide’s growing Sikh community. It was particularly known for its daily free langar, which provided hundreds of meals to people of all backgrounds every day. The destruction of the premises is expected to leave a significant gap in both religious services and community support.
As investigators continue their work and the community waits for confirmation on the holy saroops, local Sikhs have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their place of worship while expressing gratitude that no lives were lost.
