Merewether fire: Residents evacuated from apartment block after third-floor blaze

Flames and black smoke surrounded an apartment block in Merewether, as eight NSW Fire and Rescue crews worked to contain it. All residents were safely evacuated.

Residents have been evacuated from an apartment block in Merewether after a third floor unit caught fire. Credit: ABC

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An apartment block in Merewether had to be evacuated after a fire broke out just after midday on Friday.

Eight NSW Fire and Rescue trucks arrived at Watkins street, as black smoke billowed from the roof, with the blaze coming from a unit on the third floor.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were forced to go from room to room on the top floor, as a water canon was needed to douse the flames.

Fortunately crews were able to contain the blaze to the bedroom in the unit and have started to commence salvage operations.

Paramedics were also on scene but there was no reports of injury.

Most residents have now been able to return to their units.

Police forensics and fire investigators are on scene to determine the cause of the blaze.