Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have extinguished a fire at a detention center at Villawood, in Sydney's west. More than 40 firefighters were called in to attack the '4th alarm' blaze, which broke out in the two-level facility on Birmingham Avenue around 11:20 am.
Among the FRNSW resources deployed to the scene were three aerial pumpers, along with specialist HAZMAT and rescue crews.
FRNSW firefighters
During the early stages of the fire, three detainees on the top floor smashed windows and jumped onto mattresses below in an effort to escape the smoke. They were assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, as were 12 staff who sustained smoke inhalation as a result of the incident.
FRNSW firefighters managed to quickly contain and extinguish the fire. They are now pulling apart the ceiling within the compound to ensure it has not spread into the roof void.
