A fire has broken out at a recycling centre in Sydney’s west, with 16 fire trucks and dozens of firefighters working to bring the blaze under control.
Crews are on the scene of a major fire at Top Dollar Metal Recyclers’ facility on Miller Road, Villawood which broke out about 12.30pm on Monday, according to Fire and Rescue NSW.
Large quantities of shredded mattresses are ‘well alight’ and the fire has taken root deep inside the facility in multiple areas.
‘(Fire and Rescue NSW) received multiple Triple Zero calls to a fire just after 12.30pm and firefighters observed large volumes of thick black smoke en route to the incident,’ a spokesperson said.
More than 60 firefighters are battling to prevent the flames from spreading to an adjoining warehouse.
Firefighters say strong winds and problems with their water supply are complicating the operation.
‘Firefighting efforts are being hampered by water supply issues and strong winds are pushing smoke in a northerly direction,’ the spokesperson said.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman confirmed paramedics and one ambulance were on scene, but no injuries have yet been reported.
A fire broke out at a metal recycling facility in Sydney’s west, with 60 firefighters on scene
Firefighters are struggling to control the blaze, which began midday, with wind fanning flames
Fire and Rescue warned wind has blown smoke from the facility over the surrounding residential area and urged locals to take precautions.
‘Wind is pushing smoke northward, prompting (Fire and Rescue NSW) to advise nearby residents to stay away and keep doors, windows, and vents closed,’ a spokesperson wrote.
Evacuations are underway in the immediate area.
Miller Road and Sir Thomas Mitchell Road are currently closed.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Top Dollar Metal Recyclers confirmed they have been cooperating with fire crews throughout the day but have not yet determined how the blaze began.
In December of last year, a scrap metal yard in St Mary’s, also in Sydney’s west, an estimated 500 tonnes of scrap metal burst into flames in a factory.
Twenty further fire crews joined the 40 firefighters battling the blaze as it continues to rage
Evacuations are underway as smoke has been blown northward over the afternoon
Smoke has been seen billowing from the scene and blown northward over Villawood, Sydney
Thick, toxic smoke billowed from the pile of steel, copper and cars for five hours as firefighters battled to contain the fire.
It took 50 crew, 14 trucks and staff from the metal yard to bring the burn under control. The yard’s own excavator even assisted in breaking apart the smouldering heap.
In June this year, another metal warehouse fire in Auburn, nearby to Villawood, demanded a similar number of crews.
Fire and Rescue NSW took 50 crews to battle the blaze in order to rotate the firefighters’ shifts safely.
