Flames reaching 10m in height engulfed an abandoned building in Sydney’s west on Tuesday morning as more than 50 firefighters battled to contain the mammoth blaze and save nearby shops.
Video footage from the dramatic scene show a large-scale fire and rescue response to the Granville blaze, which broke out at a two-storey property on Good St about 3.45am.
Thick plumes of black smoke billowed in the early morning dark as the fire burned fiercely.
Later, a firefighter with a water cannon blasted water into the bowels of the blackened building as early morning traffic passed along Parramatta Rd.
At least 23 firefighting resources, including aerial platforms and rescue units, rushed to the scene to find the building engulfed in fire, NSW Fire and Rescue said on Tuesday morning.
“Fire crews prevented flames as high as 10m from spreading to vacant shops next door,” a spokesperson said.
“Signs of structural collapse on at least two sides of the building prevented firefighters from entering the premises.
“Instead, they used aerial platforms to reach over the roof to pour water on the seat of the fire.”
The fire crews used drones to assess the fire threat from above.
It took an hour to gain control of the blaze, the fire service stated.
“Crews are continuing to monitor the site’s instability and potential hotspots,” NSW Fire and Rescue said.
Photos from the scene show a burnt-out two-storey brick building scarred black from the flames.
The area is taped off and fire crews remain on scene.
Another photo shows a fire truck with an elevated crane on its back, perched over the building.
NSW Police and fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.