04/03/11 - Large Factory Fire Warwick Farm
Published: 4th March 2011
At 3:25pm on Friday 4th March, Fire and Rescue NSW processed the first of many Triple Zero calls to a factory fire in Scrivener Street Warwick Farm. Due to the number of callers the supervisor immediately dispatched four fire trucks. The crew from Cabramatta were first on scene and confirmed a large stack of pallets alight impinging on the factory. The factory complex contained numerous factory units which necessitated the evacuation of all the workers in the complex.It was confirmed that the premises, measuring 40 x 100 metres, containing 14 factory units, of which 6 units were destroyed by fire with 1 other unit suffering minor damage. There were major concerns that the blaze would spread to an adjoining recycling factory and the surrounding areas were evacuated. Firefighters experienced difficulties with the water supply with water being sourced from the Hume Highway approximately 1 KM away.
The fire also destroyed 3 semi trailers and took 120 firefighters from 20 stations 6 hours to extinguish the massive blaze. Given the intensity and heat of the fire it was a credit to all involved that the adjoining recycling factory was saved with only minor superficial damage. Well done to all for a good effort in difficult conditions.