Huge factory fire sends black smoke billowing over Sydney
Sydney and Blacktown airports are on high alert after a large factory fire in Western Sydney sent intense black smoke across the city.
At least 120 firefighters and 24 trucks are now at the waste-recycling factory and have managed to contain the blaze to the building of origin on Muir Road.
Smoke is now visible across the entire Sydney metropolitan, with social media users sharing photos of the dark plumes from the Northern Beaches.
"We've got a large factory fire, that's all I can say at the moment," Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Ian Krimmer told Fairfax Media.
The recycling centre handles waste materials including batteries, oil, metals, paint and solvents, electrical equipment and general waste, according to its website.
The roof of the building has collapsed, meaning firefighters are unable to access the inferno.
Six boiling gas cylinders remain at the back of the building which are thought to be capable of exploding at any moment, putting firefighters on the defensive.
Fire and Rescue NSW said on Twitter that all people at the site had been accounted for at the business, which is believed to be SUEZ Chullora Resource Recovery Park.
Huge plumes of black smoke could be seen from the other side of the city.
More to come.
Chullora: Factory fire on Muir Road. #Chullora #7News https://t.co/V7zd2B3Bkm
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) February 22, 2017
@GrillTeam Fire in Chullora near Muir Rd. pic.twitter.com/AEoeKqHuQP
— Ben Gorman (@benjamin_g1980) February 22, 2017