South Australia Metropolitan Fire Services district officer Darryl Horsell said homeowners should be careful with open flames in and around their homes.

He said fire officers from Whyalla and Port Augusta attended, and police and crew from State Emergency Services attended the complaints.

On Wednesday September 9 the team responded to an automatic alarm at the university accommodation on Russell Street just before 11pm.

On arrival, firefighters found the fire alarm system operating and a section of unit 1 heavily smoke logged.

"Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the entire unit block for any persons and extinguished the fire using one high pressure line, and vented using positive pressure fan," Mr Horsell said.

"Two small tea candles had been left burning on top of a television set and had come into contact with combustible material.

"Although damage was restricted to around $10,000 due to the quick response of the fire service, this situation could have escalated to a serious life threatening incident.

"Candles should never be left unattended and should be kept clear of combustible material.

"Be aware that pets can knock over candles and candles left in a draughty area near open windows can burn unevenly and can topple over."

SA Ambulance, SA Police and State Emergency Service attended a fire on Friday September 11 at 11.20am at a residential property on Flinders Avenue.

On arrival firefighters found the rear of the property involved in fire and this included a medium sized shed, a pergola, and a pile of palm cuttings.

Mr Horsell said six firefighters in breathing apparatus used two high pressure lines to extinguish the fire and remaining hotspots.

He said crews also checked the surrounding properties for fire spread due to the difficult wind conditions.

Damage was estimated at approximately $18,000.

On the same day, while still at the Flinders Avenue fire, the Whyalla MFS received a call to a commercial fire at a fast food restaurant on Nicolson Avenue.

One appliance from Whyalla and the Port Augusta appliance responded.

Mr Horsell said on arrival firefighters found a small fire lit in a rubbish compound at the rear of the restaurant.

He said the fire was considered deliberately lit and Whyalla police are investigating.