Factory Fire in Greenacre - 24 June 2016

Firefighters attack the fire [Photograph by Michael Connaughton, courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW]

In the early hours of Friday, 24 June 2016, firefighters were called to furniture factory in Greenacre that was well alight. The factory contained a spray booth and a large quantity of paints and thinners. A large explosion in the factory resulted in flames and a severe weakening of the building’s structure. A number of 000 calls were reported at 2:47am and the crews from Bankstown Fire Station were the first to arrive on the scene. The fire was immediately upgraded to a 3^rd Alarm Fire and additional backup was requested. At the same time, crews from Lidcombe Fire Station arrive and firefighters quickly got to work rolling out hoses and directing water through the factory’s open roller door.

As more crews arrived, firefighters attempted to find secondary ways of entry into the building with power saws, halligan tools and sledge axes. Unfortunately, no alternative entries could be found, restricting access for hose line crews. The closely compacted nature of the adjoining factories made it difficult for firefighters to determine the spread of the fire and its impact of on the neighbouring buildings. A number of neighbouring buildings were evacuated and inspected for smoke and signs of fire spread.

As more and more crews arrived, the fire was upgraded to a 5^th alarm. As the flames started to cause structural damage to the factory, the collapse of a separation wall hidden by the thick smoke caused the fire to spread to one of the neighbouring factories. The flames quickly spread, forcing crews to conduct defensive operations. Firefighters were hindered in their operations by poor water supply, restricting the effectiveness of the aerial stream and necessitating the establishment of a second water relay. An inability to access the side or read of the affected building necessitate the use of aerial firefighting appliances which required a steady flow of water. The area and its subsequent water supply issues were known to local crews and initiative was taken to upgrade the alarm level to a 7^th Alarm to ensure there were adequate resources available to set up a secondary water relay.

Firefighters utilising aerial appliances to put water on the fires. [Photograph by Andrew Ticehurst; courtesy of Fire and Rescue NSW]

Firefighters continued to put water on the fire but encountered difficulties approaching the seat of the fire as a column of thick smoke obscured visibility. A number of explosions occurred within the factory and flames began to spread to a neighbouring factory containing a large number of recycled rubber tires and causing fears regarding the structural stability. The newly involved factory was confirmed to be structurally sound and firefighters were able to gain entry to begin internal firefighting operations. The fire was extinguished and attention was quickly turned back to the original factory when a number of walls collapsed.

Most of the fires within the factory of origin had been extinguished and the spread was largely contained. After several more hours of firefighting, the main factory fires were finally under control. Two factories were severely damaged by the fire with another sustaining damage to the roof space. All of the other neighbouring factories were left undamaged.