Crows Nest fire: Falcon St furniture factory erupts in flames

Eight squatters have fled a building on Sydney’s North Shore after a furniture store went up in flames, burning through the roof of the three-storey factory.

Firefighters from across Sydney’s inner and northern suburbs are in attendance at a building fire on Falcon Street in Crows Nest. The first of many calls was received at 5:45 this morning. Crews arrived to find a fire through the roof of a three level furniture manufacturing building. Fire and Rescue NSW has assigned 12 fire appliances and over 30 firefighters to this incident. Image Credit: [https://twitter.com/stainedj] (https://twitter.com/stainedj?s=21)

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A fire has ripped through the roof of a three-storey building on Sydney’s North Shore sending flames and smoke into the air.

At least 30 firefighters were need to bring the blaze under control after it broke out just before 6am at a furniture manufacturing shop on Falcon St in Crows Nest

NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Scott Donohue said eight squatters residing at an adjacent building self-evacuated shortly after the fire began.

Fireys on the scene at Crows Nest. Picture: John Grainger

The fire began in the roof of the factory. Picture: John Grainger

Supt Donohue said the fire could have been much more serious if crews hadn’t worked tirelessly to ensure it didn’t spread to nearby buildings.

“It was a furniture making factory so in a building like that with a heavy fuel load with timber and potential flammable paints we had to attack it aggressively using aerial forces. We were lucky to be able to bring it under control.”

The fire initially caused major delays for peak-hour commuters, with cars and buses forced to divert around Falcon St when it was closed in both directions between Pacific Highway and West Street

Panicked residents alerted police. Picture: Twitter/@alexisclaired

The fire broke out just before 6am. Picture: Twitter/@alexisclaired

Police reopened Falcon St for traffic heading west just before 8.30am. The road is still closed for eastbound travellers and commuters are advised to avoid the area.

A dozen fire fighting appliances, including trucks and aerial support, stopped the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.

It is not yet clear whether the blaze is suspicious. Investigations will commence once the fire is under control.

Officers have closed Falcon St while the operation continues.