Forty people evacuated after building collapses on Liverpool Rd, Enfield

ANXIOUS residents have finally been allowed to return to their homes after a hair dressing salon on Liverpool Rd, Enfield began collapsing last night.

DEMOLITION of a building in Sydney’s inner west that partially collapsed overnight resulted in traffic chaos all day today and a long wait for anxious residents who could not return to their homes.

The two-storey building in a row of shops and units on Liverpool Rd at Enfield began collapsing into an adjacent construction site late on Monday evening.

A hair salon LA Lulu, which had operated at the site for about 20 years, was destroyed and 40 people from neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution.

The collapsed building on Liverpool Rd, Enfield. Picture: Craig Wilson

Emergency services at the scene. Picture: Bill Hearne

Three other people were impacted, a NSW police spokeswoman said.

Structural engineers were called in to assess the integrity of the structure and spent most of the day at the site.

They decided to demolish the building due to fears it would collapse onto Liverpool Rd.

Neighbouring residents and business owners were given the all clear to return to their properties about 3.45pm on Tuesday.

For them, it had been a long, sleepless night — and day.

Karnpicha Aimlimtan, who opened the Blue Water Thai restaurant three months ago two doors down from the hairdresser, was forced to sleep in her car.

“It was very scary, I couldn’t sleep,” she said.

Long wait for David Venables. Picture: Craig Wilson

Karnpicha Aimlimtan had to sleep in her car saying the ordeal was ‘scary’. Picture: Craig Wilson

She said she was uncertain if she would be able to open the restaurant tonight but was desperately hoping she could.

She had not been able to contact people who had booked a table or delivery for dinner.

Resident David Venables said he was evacuated about 9.15pm — and he could instantly smell gas.

There had been very little warning something had gone horribly wrong. The first he heard was shouting for residents to evacuate and then saw emergency lights flashing outside.

“It was a very strong smell,” he said.

“I wouldn’t have lit a cigarette, let’s put it that way.”

People evacuated and locals watched on. Picture: Bill Hearne

The rubble from the collapsed building in Enfield. Picture: Craig Wilson

He stayed with his mother overnight and had initially been told he would be able to return at midday.

He was then forced to play the waiting game.

Police would not allow anyone back into the building until the apartments were given the all clear that they were structurally safe.

No one was allowed back in until the demolition of the hair dressing salon was complete and power supplies were switched back on.

Mr Venables said: “I’d really like to have a shower.”

Residents of four other properties that were evacuated were yet to be given the all clear to return.

A stretch of footpath remains closed to pedestrians and traffic contra flows are expected to remain in place well in to the night.

WorkCover has been at the scene. Burwood Council are also investigating the incident.