SA town loses store, post office in fire

A small South Australian community is "devastated" after losing the town's only general store and post office in a fire.

The Coobowie General Store on the Yorke Peninsula went up in flames shortly before midnight on Tuesday but firefighters were able to save an attached dwelling and nearby homes, the Country Fire Service says.

Coobowie Hotel employee Robyn Short told AAP the store was a vital part of the community, where about 200 people live.

"It's devastating. We're going to have to go somewhere else now," she said.

"It was a good handy general store where everyone met and had coffee.

"At least nobody's hurt. That's the main thing."

The damage bill has been put at about $500,000 and the cause is being investigated.