An exclusion zone has been declared after a massive fire broke out at a warehouse in Sydney’s west on Monday evening, with local residents urged to find alternative accommodation.
The blaze started just before 6pm at a smash repair shop on Stubbs Street and Parramatta Road, Auburn and took hold rapidly, according to NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS).
“This is an extremely intense blaze … the fire is threatening to spread to adjoining properties which is a timber flooring warehouse and a service station on the other side,” NSWRFS Superintendent Adam Dewberry said.
Vision from the scene shows the area covered in thick, black smoke as emergency services work to contain the flames.
The area was soon covered in thick, black smoke. (ABC News)
Initially more than 20 firefighters attended the scene but those numbers soon increased to 100 just before 8pm, with more than 20 fire trucks also on site along with NSW Police and ambulance crews.
“Currently our firefighters are holding this fire, the building where the fire started is totally engulfed, we have alot of water going into this,” Superintendent Dewberry said.
“We have hazardous material experts on scene, they will be monitoring smoke plumes and any water run-off.”
Parramatta Road has been closed in both directions between St Hilliers Road/Silverwater Road and Rawson Street at Auburn.
Motorists have been diverted to St Hilliers Road and Rawson Street or the M4 instead, told to allow for extra travel time.
Residents living in the exclusion zone are being asked to make themselves known to NSW Police.
An assembly area has been set up at Dooleys Catholic Club, Lidcombe.
Locals have been advised to avoid the area and “stay indoors with your doors, windows and vents closed”.
Diversions are in place for the 544, 909 and 920 bus routes and are not stopping at all stops.
“Once we get on top of this fire we will start looking at how this fire started, but that is a long way down the track,” Superintendent Dewberry said.
