Fire in Blacktown carpark uncovers ‘temporary living spaces’

A blaze in a carpark at a Blacktown unit block has led to the discovery of ‘temporary living spaces’ where six people were sleeping in garages.

Six people were found living in garages after emergency services were called to a car fire in Blacktown. Picture: Dean Asher

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Six people living in the carpark of a Blacktown unit block were treated for smoke inhalation after a car caught fire on Monday morning.

Four fire crews from Seven Hills, Blacktown and Huntingwod fire stations were called to the scene on Second Ave about 12.45am, and found a four-wheel-drive burning in basement carpark.

Firefighters work to free people trapped in a garage. Picture: Dean Asher

Picture: Dean Asher

The car was destroyed.

A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman said six people were assessed by paramedics, who had been using three garages as “temporary living spaces”.

Firefighters had to use tools to free some of the people from garages after they became trapped inside.

The burnt-out car. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

A used mattress and debris in one of the garages at the site of a garage fire. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Beds, tables, clothes and debris were found inside the garages, which were beginning to fill with smoke when emergency services arrived.

None of the people were taken to hospital.

According to police the area is known as a regular haunt for squatters in Blacktown.

The cause of the fire was being investigated. It is being treated as suspicious.

Any information to Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.

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