Luke Alsford
Published November 30, 2025 12:57pm
Updated November 30, 2025 12:57pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Up Next
Previous Page Next PageFirefighters were showered with chunks of concrete and building debris as they battled a volcano-like fire at a chemical recycling plant.
The inferno erupted in Sydney, Australia on Saturday night local time and was described as a ‘once in a career type of experience’ by fire crews.
A fireball burst 500ft (150m) into the air and spewed blocks of material into the sky.
One storage tank shot away like a projectile and landed 200 metres away, just short of a railway line.
The fire erupted on Saturday evening (Picture: http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au)
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said: ‘I have never seen anything like that, to that degree.
‘I’ve had firefighters today tell me they’ve been in the job for almost forty years and had never seen an explosion fire so big, so it was very significant.’
More than 200 firefighters rushed to Kurrajong Street as the fire took hold before 11pm.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the blaze grew rapidly and exploded shortly after.
Two firefighters were injured as chemicals seeped through gloves.
Fewtrell said: ‘There was a large amount of debris that got showered down on the firefighters, as well as clumps of bricks and concrete that have been blown apart from the explosion.
‘We had walls — the boundary walls of the adjoining properties — blown in, and then we had firefighters in a very intensive fire fight inside the neighbouring premises trying to stop the fire from penetrating those breaches.’
The fire, which destroyed the building by late Sunday afternoon, is one of the biggest seen in the region in years.
A fireball jumped 500 ft into the air (Picture: via REUTERS)
The walls of the neighbouring business have also been ‘blown apart’, although the inside was saved by firefighters.
A 200m exclusion zone was also set up around the area and residents were urged to close their windows and vents to avoid harmful smoke getting inside.
More Trending
-
Play Video
Family suspended midair in 'sky-dining restaurant' forced to climb down on ropes
Channel: World World 21 hours ago By Ryan Prosser - Nato sends fighter jets to Ukraine after one of the most intense attacks of the entire war
- Inside the burning Hong Kong tower blocks as death toll hits 128 and 200 still missing
- Brothers accused of drowning teen sister in 'honour-based' killing
It is not yet known what sparked the blaze, with police launching an investigation.
Hazardous material crews remain on the scene.
Commissioner Fewtrell added: ‘Over the course of today and coming days the fire investigators and police will be compiling all that information and to make an assessment on how this may have started.
‘It may be that we’re not able to, we’ll just see what evidence and information is available, piece it all together with the work of fire investigators and police to try and come to a determination on the cause.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Arrow MORE: Inside the burning Hong Kong tower blocks as death toll rises to 128 with 200 still missing
Arrow MORE: Woman, 25, killed by shark while diving instructor boyfriend tried to save her
Arrow MORE: Death toll rises to more than 100 after fire rips through Hong Kong tower blocks
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source News UpdatesStay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.
Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy