NSW: Factory fire contained

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2009
NSW: Factory fire contained

SYDNEY, Aug 2 AAP - Emergency services tackling a large blaze at a storage facility
in Sydney's west say the fire has been contained.

Part of the 80m by 60m factory-style building in Fariola Street, Silverwater, has collapsed
making fire fighting operations extremely dangerous.

The building contains fuel, aerosols and plastics among other items.

NSW Fire Brigades spokesman Paul McGuigan said crews are facing a tough task attacking
the seat of the blaze and changes in the wind direction has also made life difficult for
firefighters.

At 11.30am Mr McGuigan said the blaze was contained but not yet brought under control.

The fire started just before 9am on Sunday. Eighty firefighters are at the scene.

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen up to 20km away at the height of the fire.

"There's been some internal and external walls collapse," Mr McGuigan told ABC Radio.

"It's making things very difficult for us this morning. As a consequence we've got
a number of safety measures in place.

"At this stage, crews are really unable to get into the seat of where the fire really is.

"So we've got a lot of free burning in the central part of that premises."

Fuel and other hazardous materials inside the building has also made fire fighting
difficult, Mr McGuigan said.

"We've got a lot of heat and a lot of fire inside the building and that's being camouflaged
by the thick black smoke that's coming out," he added.

The fire has been prevented from spreading to adjoining properties.

NSW Fire Brigades has evacuated a number of homes in the immediate area.

AAP mg/jm

KEYWORD: FACTORY UPDATE (PICS AVAILABLE)

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