Firefighters battle intense unit blaze and rescue three trapped occupants | Malabar
Published: 23 Jan 2025 11:15pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have rescued three people following a significant fire in a large residential unit complex in Malabar, in Sydney’s east, overnight.
At approximately 11.45pm, more than 40 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters and 10 fire trucks, responded to numerous Triple Zero (000) calls to a fire on the top floor of the three-level building in Bilger Crescent.
On arrival, crews were met with intense flames engulfing one of the units, with fire visible from both sides of the building.
Firefighters entered the property and worked quickly to attack the blaze and bring it under control. The fire was extremely intense, destroying the contents of the affected unit.
The blaze extended into the roof space however firefighters managed to prevent it from spreading further. The fire was contained to the unit of origin.
Due to heavy smoke in the building's corridors, three residents were trapped in adjoining units however crews managed to evacuate them safely. Other residents also self-evacuated.
Occupants from approximately 10 units in the building have been displaced due to the extensive damage caused by smoke, heat, and water.
It took crews around two hours to fully extinguish the fire and secure the scene.
At this stage the cause of the fire is unknown. FRNSW specialist fire investigators are attending the scene today with NSW Police forensics to assist with investigating the cause of the fire.
Updated: 06 Mar 2026 6:50pm