Out-of-control blaze erupts on the top floor of an apartment building in Sydney’s Oxford Street as residents scramble to escape
- Fire breaks out in Sydney apartment block
- Flames leap from a unit on the 15th floor
- Fire has been reported to be under control
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More than 40 firefighters have managed to contain a dramatic fire that broke out on the top floor of an inner-city apartment block where flames could be seen leaping out of a unit.
Sydney emergency services rushed to the scene of the fire shortly after 5pm on Sunday converging on the corner of Oxford and Liverpool Streets in the inner-east suburb of Darlinghurst.
The Park Apartments building was evacuated but it was considered too dangerous for people on the 15th floor where the blaze was to get out so they were told to stay on their balconies by firefighters who went door-to-door.
A major fire has broken out on the 15th floor of an inner-Sydney apartment block
A cherry-picker on Oxford Street was used to lift firefighters to the height of the apartment.
Fourteen firetrucks attended the scene and 26 firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control by around 6.30pm.
One firefighter and another person suffered smoke inhalation and had to be treated by paramedics at the scene.
Fourteen firetrucks attended the fire at the corner of Oxford and Liverpool Streets in inner-east Sydney
Oxford Street, a main thoroughfare for Sydney, has been closed to just one lane of traffic.
Videos and images on social media showed the inferno and fire trucks racing to the scene while the building’s residents huddled along Oxford St.
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The apartment, where the outside roof was charred from the blaze is thought to have sustained severe damage.
Fire and Rescue NSW have released a statement on the fire.
Sydney firetrucks race to the scene of a blaze that broke out on the top floor of an inner-city apartment building
A cherry-picker was used to elevate firefighters to fight the blaze on the top floor of the building
‘Crews, from multiple stations across the city, were initially alerted by an automated fire alarm before multiple witnesses called Triple Zero (000) to report the fire,’ the statement said.
‘Firefighters quickly gained access to the burning unit and contained the fire.
‘One firefighter remained with two elderly occupants inside a neighbouring unit and, when it was safe to do so, assisted them out of the building.
‘Those residents have since been assessed and cleared by NSW Ambulance paramedics, while the firefighter who helped them is being taken to hospital for further observation.’
‘Due to the extensive spread of smoke throughout the building’s common areas, residents on other floors were instructed to remain inside their units to protect them against potential smoke inhalation.
‘Fire crews are continuing to ventilate the building.’
At this stage, the cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated.
