NSW: Factory ruins threaten to fall on fire station

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2006
NSW: Factory ruins threaten to fall on fire station

SYDNEY, Dec 15 AAP - The wall of a Sydney furniture factory destroyed by fire is threatening
to collapse on an adjacent fire station, firefighters say.

Four firefighters and one fire truck have been relocated from Lakemba fire station,
in Sydney's south west, to nearby Campsie fire station as investigators consider whether
to demolish the wall.

The fire in the furniture and electrical goods warehouse on Haldon Street, Lakemba,
began just before 11pm (AEDT) yesterday.

About 40 residents from a nearby unit block were evacuated from their homes as more
than 70 firefighters battled for two and a half hours to bring the fire under control.

NSW Fire Brigades Superintendent Jason Blough said investigators would today examine
the cause and origin of the fire, which has now been extinguished.

Engineers would determine whether to demolish the wall, which is about three metres
from the adjacent fire station.

"The outside wall of the factory is threatening to fall on to the fire station," he said.

"They will be looking when and how or if they are going to demolish the wall.

"At the moment it's been deemed to be safest to leave it where it is at the moment."

At one stage during the fire, crews concentrated for half an hour on keeping the flames
away from the fire station next door.

The factory roof collapsed onto the fire which was still smouldering early today.

Parts of Haldon Street remain blocked to traffic.

AAP kjd/klw/drp/de

KEYWORD: FACTORY 2ND DAYLEAD

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