CBD Hotel, King street: Fire crews battled fierce blaze in Newcastle
Residents living in self isolation, including two infected with COVID-19, were forced to flee their homes after a fire broke out in an abandoned hotel in Newcastle on Sunday night.
Newcastle
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Residents living in self isolation, including two infected with COVID-19, were forced to flee their homes after a fire broke out in an abandoned hotel in Newcastle on Sunday night.
Fire and Rescue NSW were called to the block between King St and Hunter St around 5.30pm Sunday, after reports of an explosion at the rear of the hotel.
Around 40 firefighters were deployed to the scene to battle the ferocious blaze.
More than 100 people from nearby buildings were evacuated to nearby Civic Park as a precaution, including residents from Civic Square Apartments.
A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman said there were concerns for two evacuees with COVID-19 who were transported to hospital by paramedics.
There had been reports that squatters had been living in the hotel for several weeks.
Residents told police two men were heard having an argument outside the hotel before they ventured inside and an explosion rang out a few minutes later.
It’s been confirmed all persons have now been accounted for.
It took several hours to extinguish the blaze and as a result two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Officers from Newcastle Police have commenced investigations into the cause of the blaze, alongside fire investigators.
Hunter Street remains closed between Auckland St and Worth Place; local diversions are in place.
The hotel has been closed for business for some time.