Residents of a neighbouring apartment building will be able to return home tonight as work continues to render other buildings safe as part of ongoing coordinated multi-agency operations at Surry Hills.
The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was stood-up last Friday (26 May 2023) to coordinate the operations of multiple agencies in support of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) as they worked to extinguish the blaze, which broke out just after 4pm on Thursday 25 May 2023.
The priorities for the emergency operation are to render the fire ground safe to allow on-site investigations, coordinate for the safe demolition of the remaining structures, limit the impacts on traffic and public transport, and importantly, house displaced residents and ensure the timely return to their properties.
After being satisfied the fire was extinguished, FRNSW handed the fire ground over to the NSW Police Force on Wednesday (31 May 2023), with officers maintaining a guard at the crime scene.
Engineers and experts from NSW Public Works are continuing to work closely with the building owners and their contractors on the ongoing demolition operations to bring the remaining walls down, which allows for the further reductions of the exclusion zone.
A Recovery Committee has also been established under local emergency management arrangements, which includes representatives from City of Sydney Council and various other agencies to coordinate recovery operations to support the affected community.
Following rigorous safety assessments in consultation with the building owners and their insurers, engineers deemed 38 Chalmers Street will be safe for re-occupation about 3.30pm today (Friday 2 June 2023).
Work is continuing to render 30-34 Chalmers Street safe for re-occupation, and it is anticipated those residents may be able to return late next week.
The Recovery Committee is in the process of contacting residents to coordinate the return to their homes.
Due to significant works to be completed at 1-5 Randle Street, it may be several weeks before the building can be re-occupied. Disaster Welfare Services are continuing to communicate directly with them.
Strike Force Strontium officers, comprising detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad's Arson Unit, assisted by FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit, are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
They are also continuing to conduct extensive inquiries to identify and account for two people who were amongst a larger group sleeping rough in the building the night prior to the fire. While police have not received any reports of missing people, investigators are unable to definitively say there is no one inside.
As soon as the site is declared safe, forensic examinations and other inquiries will be conducted, which includes the deployment of cadaver-detection dogs.
There are no further updates on the investigation at this time.
Anyone with information which may assist Strike Force Strontium investigators can be provided by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Motorists are reminded that Chalmers Street and Randle Street between Cleveland Street and Elizabeth Street remain closed as operations and investigations continue.
For real-time traffic updates, including road closures, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app.
In Surry Hills, buses travelling towards the city are diverting away from Chalmers and Randle streets. They're using local streets instead and may start or terminate their trips at different stops. Consider catching a train to and from Redfern station to connect with buses.
For trip planning on public transport and service alerts, visit transportnsw.info or download a transport app.
Anyone with concerns or enquiries regarding their health are encouraged to contact a medical professional, while anyone who requires mental health, welfare or other support can contact local community support services. A comprehensive list of services can be located online:
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/customer-support-service-infoxchange-service-seeker
