‘Shut your windows’: Warning after inferno
Residents are being urged to be cautious after air quality plummetted in a Sydney suburb after a factory blaze.
Fire crews battled to control the blaze since the structure on Fitzpatrick St in Revesby went up in flames just after 2pm on Tuesday.
More than 20 fire trucks, including three multiple specialist Aerial Pumpers with 24m ladders, were dispatched to the scene.
While crews managed to stop the fire from spreading into adjoining proeprties, the blaze continued to burn in the centre of the building into the night.
Vehicles stacked on top of each other made it difficult for firefighters to get to the root of the fire, FRNSW said.
On Wednesday, residents were warned of poor air quality, with those leaving their homes going have been urged to consider wearing a mask.
“If you can smell it and it’s irritating you, avoid going outdoors and keep your doors and vents closed. It was a deep seated fire and it’s got a reasonable amount of water in it,” said NSW Fire and Rescue’s Superintendent Adam Dewberry.
He warned strong odour from the factory fire could increase throughout the day, with cooler air “holding in” the smoke.
“As it gets warmer, we expect it to dissipate the odour, and it’s looking like a very clear day, with no wind,” said Superintendent Dewberry.
Anyone staying at home has been asked keep their windows closed.
Crews are monitoring the water run off to minimise contaminants in the nearby waterways.
There have been no reported injuries from the fire, but the incident is impacting peak hour traffic in the area.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said fires at “wrecking yards can burn extremely hot and fast”.
“The extreme heat and potential to spread rapidly can make these types of fires difficult to contain,” he said.
“The warehouse is full of dismantled cars stacked on top of one another and it (was) an extremely intense fire, threatening the adjoining properties,” Supt Dewberry said.
Firefighters are still unclear what caused the fire but investigations are well underway.
It was categorised as an 8th Alarm emergency.
The wrecking yard is located only blocks away from Bankstown Airport, home to flight schools and recreational flights.
Images show the fire ruining the building and large plumes of dark smoke billowing out of the windows.
