We experienced a little drama this week after a destructive fire broke out in central Sydney. The blaze started in a row of vacant brick warehouse buildings on Randle Street near Central Station about 4pm on Thursday. The buildings had been vacant for about 12 months pending the start of a major multi-million-dollar restoration the largest structure into a new boutique hotel.
Garry was the first to spot the fire. I was working in our showroom so he called and urged me to step outside to take a look. At its height, flames from the fire could be seen leaping into the air from our apartment balcony. The air was thick with smoke and a layer of ash was descending on cars and houses throughout the area. Television station helicopters took to the sky and were soon broadcasting live images of the growing inferno.
It was surreal watching the drama unfolding on television, only to look up and see it with our own eyes. It reminded me of many times living in London where we witnessed firsthand the impact of an international news event unfolding around us.
As we watched, huge explosions could be seen as the fire engulfed the site. At one stage, a huge fireball rose moments before a major wall section exploded outwards, showering the street in bricks, concrete, and other debris. Later in the day, could still smell smoke in our apartment and in the corridors of our building. It all brought back surreal memories of the record bushfires we endured for months on end in late-2019.
In the days since four children have come forward to help police with their investigation. It appears that they may have started the blaze as part of a childhood prank gone wrong.
It was surreal watching the drama unfolding on television, only to look up and see it with our own eyes. It reminded me of many times living in London where we witnessed firsthand the impact of an international news event unfolding around us.
As we watched, huge explosions could be seen as the fire engulfed the site. At one stage, a huge fireball rose moments before a major wall section exploded outwards, showering the street in bricks, concrete, and other debris. Later in the day, could still smell smoke in our apartment and in the corridors of our building. It all brought back surreal memories of the record bushfires we endured for months on end in late-2019.
In the days since four children have come forward to help police with their investigation. It appears that they may have started the blaze as part of a childhood prank gone wrong.
UPDATE: 31 May
A 60-tonne long-reach excavator began tearing chunks of brickwork from the two highest walls of the 110-year-old warehouse, yesterday morning. Authorities are keen to demolish the most unstable sections as quickly as possible and reopen local streets that have been closed for a week.
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