NSW: Fires crews on night watch as Silverwater complex burns

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2009
NSW: Fires crews on night watch as Silverwater complex burns

SYDNEY, Aug 2 AAP - Fire crews will stand guard through the night at an industrial
complex in Sydney's west where spot fires are still burning after a massive blaze at a
storage facility.

Dozens of local residents may have to spend Sunday night away from their homes.

Spot fires are expected to continue burning through the night at an 80-metre by 60-metre
storage facility in Fariola Street, Silverwater.

The persistent fires, producing a large amount of smoke, may pose a threat to surrounding
neighbourhoods.

"We will assess the situation later tonight," NSW Fire Brigades spokesman Paul McGuigan
told AAP on Sunday.

He said 75 per cent of the storage facility's roof had collapsed, and crews could not
reach fires burning under the rubble.

"Once darkness falls, there's very little we can do to tackle those (fires) safely.

"It's quite possible people may have to stay out of their homes."

About 30 people were evacuated from 13 homes on Popov and Marathon streets in Newington
after the storage facility containing aerosols, fuel, plastics and other materials erupted
into flames just before 9am (AEST).

It sent a cloud of smoke visible as far away as Blacktown and Maroubra into the air.

The cause of the fire is not likely to be known for several days, although arson has
not been ruled out and CCTV footage from the area is being examined.

Police have launched an investigation.

Chandra Tolani, who co-owns the building with Dilipkumar Bhatha, said one of his brothers
alerted him to the fire after security alarms were activated.

"My other brother came across to have a look, and he said there's a fire here. The
fire brigade was already here," he told Fairfax Radio Network.

"We were asleep. I'd just woken up and then I had to rush. I was planning to shave."

Internal and external walls quickly collapsed because of the ferocity of the fire.

Steel struts supporting the roof also gave way.

About 80 firefighters tackled the blaze at its height and managed to prevent it spreading
to nearby units.

Support crews were brought in at 3pm on Sunday to relieve exhausted colleagues.

Emergency services will spend the night at the building.

People evacuated were advised to close windows and not use air conditioning.

NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins, who spent the day at the scene, said smoke
was a concern for nearby residents.

"We do recommend anybody who has breathing difficulties, who can smell the smoke or
see smoke in their area, keep their doors and windows closed and stay inside."

AAP mg/jl/apm

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