30/10/10 - Enormous multi million dollar factory fire at Smithfield
Published: 30th October 2010
Today over 100 firefighters from twenty Sydney fire stations attended one of Sydney's largest fires for many months at Britton Street Smithfield. The first of many Triple Zero calls came in at 6.19pm. Crews responding reported they could see large volumes of smoke issuing as they were en route to the scene and immediately called for additional support. Arriving crews reported that a building 100 metres by 150 metres was totally involved in fire with flames through the roof. Shortly after arrival an entire wall along the side of the complex collapsed, bringing down the roof also. A second building containing chemicals was under direct threat and efforts were concentrated to save that part of the structure. The building was used as a hardware distribution complex and contained very heavy fire loading. Defensive strategies and several hydraulic platforms towers were deployed to finally bring the fire under control. An internal fire wall assisted firefighters in preventing the fire spreading to the adjoining chemical and flammable storage area which, if involved, would have greatly hampered operations Smoke plumes were monitored during the operation and fortunately the factory was located within an industrial area. At around 10.00pm the decision was made to downsize crews and a fire duty remained on scene until Monday mopping up small pockets of fire still burning within the rubble. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.