Fire and Rescue NSW responds to partial building collapse - Rockdale

Published: 01 Mar 2024 11:28am

Specialist Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews are at the scene of a partial building collapse at Rockdale, in Sydney's south.

20 firefighters, including Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) specialists, and six fire trucks responded to the incident in an industrial park in West Botany Street around 6:30am.

A section of ground has subsided, causing a large two-level office block to sag in the middle and appear unstable.

Approximately 20 people were evacuated from the area; however, no-one was inside the building at the time.

A multi-agency operation is now underway at the site.

Firefighters have set up laser monitoring equipment to detect possible further movement in the affected building.

Those assessments are also being assisted by FRNSW's Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), or drones.

FRNSW experts are working with their colleagues across government and industry to assess the extent of the collapse and establish the cause.

Engineers are also determining a plan on how to shore up the building.

An exclusion zone is currently in place and the community is urged to avoid the area; however, at this stage, all roads and public footpaths in the area remain open.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional still images are available on the FRNSW website. FRNSW RPAS footage is available for download - https://vimeo.com/918130946/e9eef7334b [external link]

Updated: 01 Mar 2024 11:33am

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Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.

For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)

For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].

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Stations nearby

KOGARAH Fire Station

26 Gray Street, Kogarah NSW 2217

ARNCLIFFE Fire Station

100-106 West Botany Street, Arncliffe NSW 2205

HURSTVILLE Fire Station

5-9 Butler Rd, Hurstville NSW 2220