A seven-storey building in Surry Hills, in the heart of Sydney in Australia was engulfed in fire on Thursday afternoon. A wall collapsed as flames surrounded the building from all sides within minutes, while reports said that it also spread across to a few residential buildings in the vicinity.
Fire and rescue teams arrived at the location and relief operations and fire dousing efforts are underway. More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks have been deployed in the area, reports said.
A video, released by the New South Wales Fire and Rescue (FRNSW), shows the moment a wall from an engulfed building in Surry Hills came crashing down onto the street below.
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At least one vehicle in the vicinity of the blaze was destroyed and one firefighter received a minor burn injury and is receiving treatment. However, there were no reports of any serious injuries to anyone.
FRNSW deputy commissioner for field operations, Jeremy Fewtrell, told The Guardian on Thursday evening that the fire had been “effectively contained” with the help of aerial and groundwork. He added that they might still be there “all night and into the morning”.
“It was basically apocalyptic, there was ash falling everywhere, the embers were raining down,” said a resident, speaking to the English daily, who lives about 100 metres from the building where the blaze erupted.
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At a press conference later, Fewtrell said there was no indication of any injuries to the public, and no indication anyone was in the building at the time of the blaze.
Meanwhile, the NSW police issued a warning for people in the city to avoid the area around the building.
