Dozens of residents have told to stay inside their homes after a fire at a western Sydney laundromat triggered a giant smoke cloud.
The massive blaze erupted at a factory on Dunlop Street in North Parramatta in Sydney’s west about 1am on Tuesday.
More than 100 firefighters from 30 trucks attended the fire which at one point was burning at a staggering 800 degrees.
Nearby residents were told to evacuate, including three puppies recovering from a surgery the day before and an overnight vet nurse.
The puppies were reported to be ‘safe and well’.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) said the fire had been contained as of about 6.40am on but that ash was expected to smoulder through the morning.
‘Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows and vents closed,’ it said.
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said tackling the blaze was a huge effort from his crew.
‘It contained it to the building where the fire started, and they were able to save it from impacting on the neighbouring properties which were actually very close,’ he told 9News.
‘The fire and the impact on that business or the property where the fires occurred is really bad, but, gee whiz, it makes a huge difference if we can stop it from impacting on the neighbouring properties, and that’s exactly what they were able to do.’
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the fire’s cause is not yet known, but an investigation will start once it has been put out.
‘We will continue to what we call mop up, get in when it’s safe to do so, so extinguish that fear completely,’ he told Channel Seven’s Sunrise.
‘We had a really well-developed fire when the first trucks arrived. That’s where we’ve got more than 100 firefighters off 30 trucks here.
‘The firefighters have done a wonderful job stopping the fire from spreading.’
No injuries have been reported.
One building has suffered some damage in the blaze.
Nearby Church St has been closed between Barney Street and Factory Street.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and to use alternative routes.
More to come…