Condell Park house collapse: Family slept as home crumbled

A Western Sydney family was delivered a devastating Easter surprise when their newly-built rental started to collapse around them on Friday morning.

A family is lucky to be alive after their home collapsed overnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

The family living next door to a collapsed new home in Sydney‘s west are now terrified the same could happen to them.

Around 5am on Good Friday a Condell Park family woke in shock as their new rental, built only months ago, started collapsing around them.

Neighbours described what “sounded like an explosion” as the house began to fall.

A couple were sleeping in the master bedroom and woke to find it falling into the garage below, making a quick escape with their child as one half of the home came crumbling to the ground, crushing one car and damaging three others.

The damage wasn’t just contained to the collapsed home, with the neighbouring property also impacted by the rubble.

The family slept as the new home they were renting started to collapse around them. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

The Saturday Telegraph understands families in both properties are seeking temporary accommodation.

Nearby neighbours Christopher and Juliana Benjamin were at home when they heard what they thought was a car crash and rushed outside to help.

Discovering the collapsed building, Mr Benjamin realised the home was built by the same builders of their rental, which was finished around the same time.

“I was scared to get into my house this morning,” he said. “I’m nervous … but we’ve been told it is a different design.”

Hemisphere Constructions has built scores of properties across southwest Sydney with many in Condell Park. The company did not respond to a request for comment.

Another neighbour said she was shocked to see the building collapse, especially since it had only been occupied for a few months.

The home was being rented for $1150 a week. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the family was lucky to escape unscathed from the shock ­collapse.

“It is a very new home. So what’s occurred here will have to be investigated by the regulators and the other authorities and no doubt the owner and insurance,” he said.

The five-bedroom home is described in its real estate listing as a “new benchmark” with “superior products”.

“The sheer size and all-round quality create value, whilst separating a substantial difference from other high-end quality homes available for rent, resulting in a brand new home that is simply in a class of its own,” the listing boasts. “For the elite that value luxury cars and brands, now you have the home to match.”

The property was rented for $1150 per week.

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