A mass evacuation was carried out in Sydney’s inner west after a 10-storey building at a construction site in Burwood partially collapsed yesterday.
The structure, which was earmarked for demolition, suffered a dramatic failure, with scaffolding dislodging and falling onto an excavator at the site.
Emergency services, including Police, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), and SafeWork NSW, quickly arrived at the scene.
Hundreds of residents and workers in the area were evacuated due to the unstable structure and concerns over potential further collapse.
Specialist teams, including heavy rescue and engineering experts, are currently working to stabilize the building.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. Authorities have cordoned off the site and adjacent areas to ensure public safety, while engineers assess the extent of the damage and determine the cause of the collapse.
One witness described the scene as chaotic, with debris falling and workers rushing to safety. “It was a loud crash, and then everything was covered in dust.
Emergency crews got here really fast and started evacuating everyone,” said a nearby resident.
Additional Incidents Raise Concerns
This incident follows a separate evacuation last week in Sydney’s southwestern suburb of Cabramatta. Approximately 20 residents were forced to leave their homes after the roof of a unit block on Myall Street collapsed.
The roof had previously shown signs of damage and had been covered with tarps prior to its failure.
While no injuries were reported in the Cabramatta incident, residents are calling for greater oversight of building safety and maintenance. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
Authorities Respond
NSW authorities have urged developers and contractors to prioritize safety measures on construction sites and ensure compliance with all regulations.
“Public safety is our top priority. We are conducting a thorough investigation to determine what went wrong and to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said a spokesperson from SafeWork NSW.
Residents affected by the Burwood and Cabramatta incidents have been offered temporary accommodations while safety assessments are conducted. Further updates will be provided as investigations progress.
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