Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at a waste recycling centre in Sydney's west that has sent a plume of thick black smoke across the city's skyline.
The fire broke out at the SUEZ Chullora Resource Recovery Park, on Muir Road in Chullora, just before 9.30am on Thursday, and quickly engulfed one of the large buildings on the site.
More NSW News Videos
- Video duration
- 00:44
Firefighters continue to battle factory ...
Firefighters continue to battle factory blaze
Smoke continues to pour from the Chullora Resource Recovery Park, as on-site fire fighters work to get the blaze under control.
Up Next
Woman struck by car in Chatswood
- Video duration
- 00:52
- Video duration
- 00:52
Woman struck by car in Chatswood
Woman struck by car in Chatswood
Police continue to make inquiries after a woman was hit by a car on Sydney's North Shore on Friday morning.
Up Next
Atlassian has a party
- Video duration
- 00:33
- Video duration
- 00:33
Atlassian has a party
Atlassian has a party
Software company Atlassian cordoned off part of Sydney's Centennial Park for five days to throw a party. Restricting visitors access to the park
Up Next
Man charged over cafe owner's murder
- Video duration
- 00:29
- Video duration
- 00:29
Man charged over cafe owner's murder
Man charged over cafe owner's murder
A 36-year-old man has been charged over the murder of Bill Panagakos in Sydney's west, ending a three year manhunt. Courtesy Network Ten
Up Next
What are your consumer rights?
- Video duration
- 01:57
- Video duration
- 01:57
What are your consumer rights?
What are your consumer rights?
When are you eligible for a repair, replacement or a refund? The Australian Consumer Law gives you more rights than you might know.
Up Next
Online dating con-woman sent to prison
- Video duration
- 02:06
- Video duration
- 02:06
Online dating con-woman sent to prison
Online dating con-woman sent to prison
Sanna Derbas, who scammed nearly three million dollars from lonely, vulnerable men she met online, has been sentenced to 18 months prison. Vision courtesy Network 10.
Up Next
Wesley College journal identifies sexual relationships
- Video duration
- 01:47
- Video duration
- 01:47
Wesley College journal identifies sexual ...
Wesley College journal identifies sexual relationships
The University of Sydney is investigating Wesley, one of its oldest colleges after a journal that named who had sex with the most people was was distributed.
Firefighters continue to battle factory blaze
Smoke continues to pour from the Chullora Resource Recovery Park, as on-site fire fighters work to get the blaze under control.
More than 100 firefighters from 20 fire stations across Sydney are battling the blaze. A section of the building's roof collapsed just before 10.30am.
Everyone at the centre has been evacuated and accounted for, firefighters said.
The building, measuring 120 by 70 metres, contained highly flammable materials including carpet, plastic, cardboard and paper, Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Ian Krimmer said.
"This is producing enormous amounts of thick black smoke that can be seen right across Sydney," he said.
"We are monitoring that smoke plume constantly. We've established some air-monitoring devices around the site and they will give us any alarm should there be any toxicity to the affected area. At this stage that smoke is going high up into the atmosphere where it's dissipating safely."
The plume of smoke was so big it could be seen from as far away as Vaucluse and Watsons Bay in Sydney's east, more than 25 kilometres away.
John Hassett, the NSW state general manager at SUEZ, confirmed that all the company's employees had been accounted for and no one was injured.
"We appreciate the very swift response and ongoing work from emergency services and we will continue to work with them and conduct a full investigation," he said.
A number of factories surrounding the waste recycling centre were initially evacuated due to fears the fire could spread.
Just before 11am, firefighters had contained the blaze to the waste recycling centre, but it was still burning out of control and was expected to continue burning for several hours at least.
Superintendent Krimmer said firefighters could not enter the structure because it had partially collapsed and was unstable.
Firefighters were attacking the blaze from both sides of the building. They were also cooling down a number of large gas cylinders that could be seen at the back of the waste management centre.
The cause of the fire was not known.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said paramedics were on standby on Muir Road although they had not treated any patients.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority said it was aware of the blaze and had sent officers to the site.
Something massive is on fire is south west Sydney pic.twitter.com/Xn3nhph1v3
â Mr Tiedt to you (@mrtiedt) February 22, 2017
More to come