More than 100 people were evacuated during a fire in a Manly high-rise apartment block
An early morning fire in a high-rise apartment block in Manly forced the evacuation of more than 100 people.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
More than 100 people had to be evacuated during an early morning fire emergency at a high-rise apartment complex on the northern beaches.
Residents of the 16-storey building in Manly were told to leave after a resident called triple-0 at 6.20am today after seeing thick smoke billowing from an apartment’s window.
Melissa Wise, a Qantas flight attendant who lives on level 7 of the Manly National, said she noticed a “metallic smoke” smell as she was driving out of the carpark.
The landmark building, which sits between Central Ave and Short St, dominates the skyline in the Manly CBD. It has 160 apartments as well as commercial premises including Manly Post Office and a six-storey council car park.
Ms Wise said she stopped her car in the street and looked up.
“There was this thick smoke billowing from the side of the building,” she said. “It was frightening.
“I called triple-0 and started beeping my horn to wake people up.”
NSW Fire and Rescue units from Manly, including a truck with an extendible platform, Dee Why and Mosman were at the building within minutes.
A Fire and Rescue spokesman said the fire started in the kitchen of an apartment on level 6.
“About 100 people had evacuated from the building,” the spokesman said.
“Firefighters were able to get the fire under control quickly using one hose line.
“About 10 per cent of that apartment was damaged by fire.
“No one was injured.”
Residents were allowed back in the building soon after 8am.