Residents evacuated after a large fire broke out near Sydney’s Central Station
Image: The large fire near Central Station that broke out this afternoon. Images: Nine/Facebook.
By TILEAH DOBSON
A major fire broke out in a multi-level building in Surry Hills near the Sydney CBD this afternoon.
As the flames are near Central Station, buses are being re-routed and light rail services between Moore Park and Circular Quay are not running. Trains are running as usual, however, the public is being urged to avoid roads near Randle Street during their commute.
A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW has told City Hub that the fire occurred just after 4 pm. After multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) more than “100 FRNSW firefighters, from 20 fire trucks and multiple stations, are now working to contain and extinguish the blaze.”
SURRY HILLS | Wall collapses as major fire engulfs seven-storey building. New video footage, released by FRNSW, shows the moment a wall from an engulfed building in Surry Hills came crashing down onto the street below. pic.twitter.com/mZeYGg1Kox
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) May 25, 2023
“The building is starting to collapse, while the inferno is beginning to spread to several neighbouring buildings, including residential apartments,” they said.
“At least one vehicle in the vicinity has also been destroyed by fire. The public is urged to avoid the area as firefighting operations continue.”
A firefighter on the scene addressed the media, saying that he was “pleased to report that there’s been no indications of any injuries to any of the members of the public.”
“There was some small level of fire spread to some of the surrounding apartment buildings,” he said.
“The information we have [is that the] buildings were vacant or unoccupied … they were under construction or about to have to demolition or work done.”
“There’s been no reports and any of the information we’ve been able to source confirms that there was no one there, but we remain open to being aware of any potential for that.”
Fire and Rescue NSW has upgraded the flames into a “10th alarm” status, which is the most severe type of fire.
Superintendent Adam Dewberry has stated that the fire began on the third level of the building.
“We got the fire on the third level of what we believe is a seven-level block we have people evacuating and firefighters entering this building to fight this fire,” he said.
While the building continued to be engulfed by flames, parts of it could be seen collapsing. Buildings nearby in Surry Hills have been evacuated and the public have been urged to avoid the area.
Police are unsure if the building is vacant or not.
Minister for Transport, Jo Haylen took to Twitter to keep the public updated, stating that “we’re monitoring the situation to ensure everyone can get home safely.”
Road closures are in place on the south-eastern edge of Central Station. You can visit https://t.co/j1RoKTs2O4 for updates. pic.twitter.com/u3vvV2WINH
— Jo Haylen MP (@johaylen) May 25, 2023
NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the same sentiments on social media.
Right now @FRNSW are battling a major fire in a multi-level building at Surry Hills near the Sydney CBD.
There are road closures near the site of the fire, and the public are advised to avoid the area as firefighting operations continue.
Stay safe, NSW.
— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) May 25, 2023
Students at the nearby Sydney Dental Hospital were evacuated, forcing them to miss a key final exam and leaving their possessions such as phones and keys behind. According to a report from the Guardian, students have been told they could possibly re-enter the building by 11 pm.
