Key Takeaways
- A massive fire broke out at a chemical recycling business in Sydney’s west, causing a violent explosion that showered firefighters with debris and building materials.
- The explosion was described as a "once in a career type of experience" by Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell, with firefighters reporting that they had never seen anything like it before.
- Despite the intensity of the fire, only two firefighters were injured, suffering skin irritations after making contact with chemicals.
- Good firefighting judgement and expertise were credited with protecting crews from the worst of the explosion.
- An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with hazardous materials crews, the Environment Protection Agency, fire investigators, and NSW Police all involved.
Introduction to the Incident
The violent explosion that occurred at a chemical recycling business in Sydney’s west has been described as a "once in a career type of experience" by Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell. The inferno-like fire broke out at Kurrajong Street in North St Marys overnight, generating immense heat and a huge eruption that spewed a fireball more than 100 metres up into the sky. The fire took hold at the chemical collection and recycling business on Kurrajong Street just before 11pm on Sunday, with more than 50 fire units and hundreds of firefighters from across Western Sydney arriving at the scene shortly after.
The Explosion and Its Aftermath
The explosion was a significant event, with Commissioner Fewtrell stating that he had never seen anything like it before. "I’ve had firefighters today tell me they’ve been in the job for almost forty years and had never seen an explosion fire so big, so it was very significant," he said. The explosion showered firefighters with chunks of concrete and building debris, and caused significant damage to the surrounding area. The walls of the neighbouring business were "blown apart", with firefighters managing to save what was inside. Despite the intensity of the explosion, only two firefighters were injured, suffering skin irritations after making contact with chemicals that seeped through their gloves.
The Response to the Fire
The response to the fire was swift and effective, with firefighters working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to surrounding buildings. Commissioner Fewtrell credited good firefighting judgement and expertise with protecting crews from the worst of the explosion. "There was a storage tank that was sent as a projectile, that went almost 200 metres and fell just short of the railway line," he said. "One of the ladder platforms of the cherry pickers that we use had just 10 minutes earlier relocated and moved probably about another 30 or 40 metres further back. And that definitely kept them out of the worst of it and so were able to withstand the impact of explosion and keep them safe."
The Investigation into the Cause
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with hazardous materials crews, the Environment Protection Agency, fire investigators, and NSW Police all involved. Commissioner Fewtrell stated that the investigation would take some time, and that it may not be possible to determine the exact cause of the fire. "Over the course of today and coming days the fire investigators and police will be compiling all that information and to make an assessment on how this may have started," he said. "It may be that we’re not able to, we’ll just see what evidence and information is available, piece it all together with the work of fire investigators and police to try and come to a determination on the cause."
The Aftermath and Cleanup
The fire will take several days to be completely put out, with firefighters working to extinguish the remaining hotspots and prevent any further flare-ups. The building has been destroyed, and the surrounding area is still being assessed for any potential hazards. The Environment Protection Agency is working to secure chemical substances and prevent any environmental damage. The incident has highlighted the importance of effective emergency response and the need for careful planning and preparation in the face of potentially hazardous situations. As Commissioner Fewtrell noted, "The real miracle was the fact that all of our people were able to stay safe through that very intense explosion."
