Two children have narrowly escaped harm during a fire which has forced the evacuation of 100 guests from a hotel at Warwick Farm, in Sydney's south-west.
Just after 1.30 am today, more than 30 firefighters and eight fire trucks, including an aerial ladder appliance, responded to numerous Triple Zero (000) calls to the fire on the second floor of the hotel on the Hume Highway.
Arranging alternative accommodation
The children, staying in a hotel room, were woken by popping sounds and a bedside table alight. The flames spread to a pillow, which was thrown into the hotel room shower by the quick-thinking occupants, and extinguished.
FRNSW crews saw smoke issuing from the building and around 100 occupants evacuating
However, upon returning to the room, the guests found a mattress well alight and immediately ran to safety outside, where they called Triple Zero (000).
On arrival, FRNSW crews saw smoke issuing from the building and around 100 occupants evacuating.
Other electrical devices
Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and checked all floors of the hotel to confirm there were no people still inside. The building was affected by smoke, and crews ventilated the property on two floors.
Crews worked with NSW Police and hotel management to safely return occupants to their rooms and arrange alternative accommodation for those unable to re-enter. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage, but the reported 'popping' sounds are consistent with a process, known as 'thermal runaway,' common in Lithium-Ion battery fires.
As such, FRNSW investigators are examining a number of items at the fire scene, including several rechargeable vapes and other electrical devices.
