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Sense of family grows from high-rise inferno

Residents who have finally returned to their homes after the Surry Hills blaze have been warned asbestos removal work will be carried out on Monday.

Residents who have finally returned to their homes after the Surry Hills blaze have been warned asbestos removal work will be carried out on Monday.

Police erected warning tape around the scene on Saturday afternoon, while officers were seen wearing masks and goggles on site.

Most residents of the 38 Chalmers St building were able to return on Friday night with a few of the worst hit still in emergency accommodation.

Some of those who returned were told their balconies were still too dangerous to use, as they remained littered with bricks and debris.

For resident Diego Navea, home has never been sweeter.

A police officer wears a protective mask and eyewear will setting up contamination warning tape around the demolition and clean-up of a building destroyed by fire in Surry Hills last week. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers
A police officer wears a protective mask and eyewear will setting up contamination warning tape around the demolition and clean-up of a building destroyed by fire in Surry Hills last week. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“We have had to spend around $1500 on hotel accommodation, so we are very happy to be back. We are hoping to get a refund.”

Mr Navea, who fled with only the socks on his feet, said there was one small benefit from the fire. The building now has a group chat and everyone feels a little closer.

Diego Navea is resident of 38 Chalmers Street, next to the Surry Hills fire scene. He was allowed to return home on Friday. Picture: Damian Shaw
Diego Navea is resident of 38 Chalmers Street, next to the Surry Hills fire scene. He was allowed to return home on Friday. Picture: Damian Shaw

“There’s a bit of a sense of community in the building,” he said.

One resident who was able to move back into his flat on Saturday said he was working at his desk with headphones on when the building caught alight on May 25, and didn’t initially hear the commotion.

The scene from the apartment of a resident at 38 Chalmers Street, who wished to remain anonymous. The resident was working from home when the fire erupted. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers
The scene from the apartment of a resident at 38 Chalmers Street, who wished to remain anonymous. The resident was working from home when the fire erupted. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

After eventually hearing the evacuation siren, he was shocked by the dramatic scenes outside.

“I saw the flames and twisted my knee falling back,” the resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The man said he had lived in the flat for 20 years and often saw people running around in the abandoned building.

Residents return to their apartments after being evacuated from a neighbouring building that was destroyed by fire in Surry Hills. Picture: Jeremy Piper
Residents return to their apartments after being evacuated from a neighbouring building that was destroyed by fire in Surry Hills. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“There would always be raves and illegal parties, I would see lights and hear pumping music,” he said.

Residents were initially given two nights in emergency accommodation, and some said they booked their own hotels before being told the free accommodation would be extended.

One resident said communication from authorities had been sparse and locals had made their own WhatsApp groups to share updates about the investigation.

Work is still underway in the neighbouring 30-34 Chalmers St, with those residents likely to be unable to return until late next week.

1-5 Randle St, directly next to the burnt out building, is undergoing significant works and it could be several weeks before residents can return.

Demolition is still underway to clear the rubble from Randle St and the site remains a crime scene, with NSW Police Strike Force Strontium investigating the circumstances surrounding the blaze.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sense-of-family-grows-from-highrise-inferno/news-story/a91d22f6f995d0db65cfb31cc039221d