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Firefighters have got ‘the upper hand’ as they say blaze is contained
By Christopher Harris
Fire and Rescue NSW say they have now gained the upper hand on a major fire which ripped through two multi-storey buildings in Surry Hills.
They said more than 100 firefighters came from across Sydney to battle the blaze from a safe distance.
They used drones and ladder trucks to stop the fire from spreading beyond the two buildings to neighbouring residential apartments.
Firefighters have officially declared the fire is contained.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
The fire has now been deemed officially contained, but firefighters will stay at the scene throughout the night.
“An exclusion zone remains in place with the public urged to avoid the area,” a statement issued on Thursday night said.
“People living in the vicinity of the fire scene should keep their windows and external doors closed to prevent potential impacts of smoke.
“Once the blaze is extinguished, FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit will work closely with NSW Police to investigate the cause of the fire.”
What we know about the main building which burnt down
By Christopher Harris
The building on Randle St was heritage listed, and a development application was lodged in 2019 with the City of Sydney to turn it into a hotel.
An accompanying heritage impact statement said it was over 100 years old.
“11-13 Randle Street is a good and relatively intact example of a six/seven storey (including basement) factory building that was constructed in 1912 for Henderson Ltd,” it said.
There were plans to turn the building into a hotel lodged with council in 2019.Credit: Nine News
The heritage report also noted it was not the first time a building had caught fire in Randle St.
Buildings in the street were damaged by fire in the late 1920s or early 1930s while another nearby building was damaged in 1973.
Residents rescued pets as building burned
By Laura Chung
A meowing cat has been carried out in the arms of police and given to its owners, as onlookers watching down from the balcony of the the Aurora Hotel applauded.
Other residents were seen carrying dogs wrapped in blankets crying with relief, while some sat with cats cowering in cages.
Nearby apartment owners rushed to rescue their pets as they evacuated the building. Credit: Laura Chung
The heat from the fire was like a sauna
By Laura Chung
Alex and Gary were at Molly’s pub, just metres away from the building, when they saw people running past.
Alex went outside and saw the building well alight and said the heat from the fire was like being in a sauna.
A NSW Fire and Rescue supplied photo of the aftermath of a fire which ripped through Surry HillsCredit: NSW Fire and Rescue
He said police quickly pushed people back and cordoned off the area.
“It was scary,” Alex, who didn’t want to give his last name, said.
“You don’t see a fire like that [often].”
The friends will have a few beers and debrief about this afternoon, before heading home.
10th alarm: most severe kind of fire
By Laura Chung
Fire and Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said the fire was largely contained but emergency services would be working throughout the night.
“The state of play at the moment is the fire is effectively contained to the buildings it was involved in,” he said.
“Fire and Rescue firefighters together with NSW Police had a very significant effort in the early stages to evacuate those surrounding buildings and get people out to safety.
Firefighters, police and emergency services respond to a large building fire on Randle St, Surry Hills.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
“I’m pleased to report that there has been no indication of any injuries to members of the public.”
The fire has been classified as a 10th alarm status by NSW Fire and Rescue– the most serious kind.
A local resident of a building was worried about her dog which was left in her apartment, as firefighters, police and emergency services respond to the fire.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Meanwhile, residents haven’t been given any indication when they’ll be let in.
One woman said her dog remained in the apartment and emergency services weren’t allowing her in, citing safety concerns.
She said she was worried about her French bulldog given the smoke and heat from the fire.
Buildings were vacant when fire ripped through them
Fire and Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell has spoken to the media, saying the buildings were vacant when a fire ripped through them.
He has detailed how over 30 fire trucks and 120 firefighters are currently working on the scene.
The fire has effectively been contained.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews have also been dousing smaller fires which threatened to spread to surrounding buildings, including residential apartments.
One firefighter’s arm was burnt and he was being treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Before and after of the building
Here’s a look at the building - pictured on the left in early 2020, and today.
Firefighters speak to the media
Photos from the scene of the fire
Photographers have been on the scene since the fire happened. Here are some of their photos:
‘It looked like a movie’: how residents responded
By Laura Chung
One man who lives in the neighbouring building was in bed when he smelled something metallic burning and heard his building’s evacuation alarm ring at 4.15pm.
Michael, who did not provide his surname, looked over his balcony - which has a view into the abandoned and burning building - to see orange, flickering lights which he initially thought was from construction.
Michael lives in a neighbouring building, and is waiting to find out when he can return home. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Michael came out onto the street and saw the building alight.
“It looked like a movie,” he said.
“I was more worried [it would] go over to my apartment and as long as no one is injured.”
Michael added he has spent the last hour at the pub, before asking his friend to pick him up.
He’s given up hope on returning home this evening.
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2023-05-25 08:37:22Z
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