Selfless firefighters and police officers rescue pets, seize residents’ medicines and even save a bride-to-be’s wedding dress after a massive fire ripped through a city building
- Fire tore through building in Surry Hills
- Firefighters and police rescued pets from nearby units
Beloved pets, much-needed medicines and even a wedding dress were rescued from residential blocks by firefighters and police officers after a massive blaze ripped through a nearby building.
Residents of surrounding apartments of a seven-storey listed building on the corner of Randle St and Elizabeth Street in Surry Hills, near Sydney Central Station, were evacuated Thursday afternoon after it went up in flames.
The building burst into flames at about 4 p.m., and by 6 p.m. much of it, including the roof, had collapsed.
As nearby apartment buildings were threatened, residents had to flee their homes as more than 100 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control at the 111-year-old former hat factory, which stood empty and empty.
NSW Fire and Rescue Acting Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said a number of pets, including cats, dogs and rabbits, have been rescued.
A resident who lived in a block of flats near the building that caught fire in Surry Hills thanked emergency services for rescuing his cat
The building near Sydney Central Station burst into flames around 4pm and much of it, including the roof, had collapsed by 6pm
“When people were evacuated last night, we started getting information from people who needed medicine, who needed pets, and so on,” he said.
‘We even had a lady who was going to have a wedding in Hobart and firefighters could go and pick up her wedding dress.
“So that’s a very happy bride, I suppose.”
An owner clings to her cat after they were evacuated from their housing block
Bunnies and cats were rescued from housing blocks after a fire broke out in a nearby building
A man who lived in a nearby apartment had his beloved cat rescued after the fire broke out.
He was teaching at the University of Sydney when he saw the news and hurried home.
“The man who went in is a very good man,” the resident told 10 News First outside his apartment building Thursday night as he cuddled his pet who was visibly distressed by the ordeal.
“We’ve been here for a few hours now and we’re happy to go elsewhere.
Commuters and workers watch in horror as a fire ripped through the vacant building in Surry Hills
“He’s a little afraid of the sound, I think, but he’ll be fine.”
Many of the evacuated residents have been given temporary shelter or are staying with friends and family.
It comes after police confirmed two 13-year-old boys turned themselves in on Thursday evening.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of NSW Police Paul Dunstan confirmed on Friday that the two 13-year-olds were in the building at the time.
They have spoken to police after appearing separately at Paddington and Kings Cross police stations and are helping with the investigation.
No charges have been filed and the arson squad is leading the investigation.
Officers also want to speak to three or four other children of the same age who were also in the building when the fire broke out.
“We are asking them to come forward with their parents and present their side of the story,” Dunstan told reporters.
Mr Dunstan also confirmed that up to 15 people slept in the building the night before the fire broke out, 13 of which were well.
Police are working with government agencies to locate the other two individuals.
Two teenagers are now assisting police with an investigation following the fire in Surry Hills on Thursday