A coordinated multi-agency emergency operation is continuing following a large building fire at Surry Hills earlier this week.
Just after 4pm on Thursday (25 May 2023), emergency services responded to reports of a large building fire on Randle Street, Surry Hills.
More than 120 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) used specialist appliances and equipment to contain the blaze before it engulfed other buildings nearby.
Specialist firefighters remain on scene monitoring the walls and have reported 70mm of movement on the front wall of the building.
Firefighting operations are ongoing, and as at 4pm today (Saturday 27 May 2023), there is still light smouldering from deep seated smouldering fires that are inaccessible due to the structural collapse.
An Emergency Operations Centre was stood-up yesterday (Friday 26 May 2023) to coordinate the operations of multiple agencies, who are assisting and supporting Fire and Rescue NSW.
The priorities for the emergency operation are to render the fire ground safe to allow on-site investigations, coordinate for the safe demolition of the remaining structures, limit the impacts on traffic and public transport, and importantly, house displaced residents and ensure the timely return to their properties.
Until the time where firefighters are satisfied this site is safe, the exclusion zone will remain in place, which includes two residential buildings (1-5 Randle Street and 38 Chalmers Street).
At least 100 people have registered as being displaced and many have been provided alternate accommodation through Welfare Services, while others have made their own arrangements.
Anyone who has been displaced and not yet registered, should do so via Register.Find.Reunite: https://register.redcross.org.au.
Police and firefighters provided accompanied access to the buildings yesterday, allowing residents to collect valuables – including pets – and other belongings.
Due to the ongoing safety concerns, a timeline for their return home is not yet available. Welfare Services will continue to communicate with displaced residents directly to keep them informed.
Engineers and experts from NSW Public Works are continuing to conduct assessments and are in the process of engaging contractors to develop make-safe demolition plans, to ensure they can be enacted as soon as possible after the fire scene is declared safe.
Utility companies are continuing to monitor the situation and it’s anticipated there may be impacts to utility supply at times throughout the ongoing operation to minimise risks to worker and community safety. Impacted residents will be notified of planned outages, or otherwise if possible, and if supply is expected to be disrupted for a significant time.
Investigations by the Financial Crimes Squad’s Arson Unit and FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit are continuing under Strike Force Strontium.
While police have not received any relevant reports of missing people, inquiries are continuing into reports of people who are known to sleep rough in the building.
Investigators have been told 15 people occupied the building the night before the fire and despite exhaustive inquiries, they have yet to establish the identity of two of those people and account for their current whereabouts.
Anyone with other information which may assist Strike Force Strontium investigators can be provided by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Further, detectives are appealing to the community to provide any vision they may have of people in or around the building leading up to the fire or any information which will assist with their inquiries.
Video can be uploaded online via Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Until the fire ground is declared safe, an exclusion zone will remain in place, which includes partial road closures on Elizabeth Street, Chalmers Street and Randle Street.
Bus customers headed into the city should expect delays and detours as bus diversions continue around the site:
- Buses on route 374 are using Cleveland St, Crown St, Foveaux and Elizabeth St. Four stops are being missed.
- Outbound services on route 343 and 374 are no longer being diverted
For real-time traffic updates, including road closures, visit www.livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app.
For trip planning on public transport and service alerts, visit www.transportnsw.info or download a transport app.
Anyone with concerns or enquiries regarding their health are encouraged to contact a medical professional, while anyone who requires mental health, welfare or other support can contact local community support services. A comprehensive list of services can be located online:
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/customer-support-service-infoxchange-service-seeker
