St Marys fire: Firefighters contain explosive inferno at Western Sydney recycling plant
Firefighters have contained a massive factory fire and chemical emergency in Western Sydney, with dozens of firefighters working to douse the explosive blaze near St. Marys train station.
The fire broke out at around 1.30pm at a commercial recycling plant on Christie Street, just a few hundred metres away from Dunheved Golf Club and a Kennard’s Self-Storage facility.
At the height of the intense blaze, up to 20 firetrucks and 100 firefighters were called to the site, with NSW Fire and Rescue reporting the flames reaching 60m in height, worsened by gas cylinders on-site.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Gas bottles and stocks of chemicals were engulfed in flames, posing a hazardous materials threat, as numerous explosions occurred,” NSW Fire and Rescue stated.
Just before 5pm, the fire was upgraded to “a 14th alarm” — the highest available level.
The lack of safe access to water added to the difficulty of controlling the fire, but after a long afternoon fireys managed to get the blaze under control by 7.46 pm.
“Firefighters gained the upper hand early tonight and are now extinguishing pockets of flame at the site,” NSW Fire and Rescue stated.
“FRNSW crews will remain at the facility tonight to monitor the situation and efforts to determine what sparked the blaze will commence once it’s extinguished.”
Hazardous materials crews were among those called to the fire as a result of the storage of chemicals at the facility.
Two firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion as they battled the inferno in sweltering 35C heat, with one transported to Mt. Druitt Hospital in a stable condition.
Evacuation orders in the area due to large black clouds have now been lifted but “residents affected by the smoke are urged to keep their windows and doors closed”.
With the fire located close to waterways, the Environmental Protection Agency has been alerted to monitor for smoke plume dispersion and water runoff.
Residents have been warned to stay away from the area, to stay indoors and shut all windows with an 800m exclusion zone declared.
