100 Australian firefighters battled a fierce blaze at the old Sydney Water Board building - a high-rise structure in Sydney's CBD (central business district) - that closed a nearby street and created major traffic problems in the city.
The fire was so intense that thermal imaging cameras initially did not work for crews as they attempted to extinguish the blaze. New South Wales Fire and Rescue crews attended from 20 stations across the city.
The building was under demolition when the fire broke out. Asbestos was detected inside and firefighters were decontaminated as they emerged. The blaze was believed to have started in an electricity substation in the building, which adjoins a heritage-listed, art deco building. The buildings were fed by three substations and, due to the age of the buildings, fire crews initially experienced problems isolating the power.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined, but may have been a result of the demolition work.
