‘Scary’ factory fire causes traffic chaos
Sydney commuters have faced lengthy delays on Tuesday morning after a large factory in the city’s southwest was“destroyed” by a massive blaze.
Fire crews were called to the fire on Canterbury Rd, Canterbury about 2.30am, with about 70 firefighters, 25 trucks and additional aerial appliances deployed to tackle the inferno.
It took fire crews about three hours of “intense attack” to bring the blaze under control. It remained smouldering at 10am.
“Fire crews attempted to enter the building but were quickly forced to retreat due to the dangerous conditions,” Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said in a statement.
“FRNSW mobilised three ladder trucks which were able to reach above each of the affected buildings and limit the potential spread of the fire.”
The roof of the factory is believed to have contained asbestos, which fire crews are continuing to douse with water in order to suppress any particles disturbed by the incident.
Motorists have been urged to “exercise caution” and “prepare to merge” while traffic is affected in both directions on Canterbury Rd near Wonga St.
More than three hazmat trucks remain on the site where the building has been destroyed.
FRNSW confirmed that there had been minimal damage to a hire company adjacent to the factory, which produces white goods, but an adjoining petrol station had not sustained any damage.
“It was pretty well contained,” a spokesperson said.
The petrol station owner was reportedly the first to alert emergency services to the blaze.
“It was full of smoke … all of a sudden there was fire coming from the rooftop,” the man, who wanted to remain anonymous, told 7 News.
“It was scary.”
More than 100,000 litres of petrol were being stored at the site, while two neighbouring homes were also threatened by the blaze.
FRNSW confirmed that there were no reported injuries and the cause and origin of the fire was yet to be determined.
The City of Canterbury Bankstown Council, the NSW Environment Protection Agency and NSW Public Works are assisting FRNSW to contain the risks posed by the fire and asbestos.
