Residents evacuated after unit block roof collapses in Cabramatta

About 20 people have been evacuated from a unit block in southwestern Sydney following the collapse of the building’s roof.

Residents have been evacuated after the roof of their unit block suddenly collapsed in Sydney’s southwest.

About 20 people were evacuated from the two unit blocks at Myall St in Cabramatta about 12.40pm on Wednesday afternoon.

The entire roof of a unit block in Cabramatta collapsed with residents having to find alternate accommodation after being evacuated. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Residents may not be allowed back into their homes for several days after the roof of the unit block collapsed. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Mat Sigmund said emergency services were able to evacuate all residents without injury.

He said the roof over one of two neighbouring six-house unit blocks collapsed, leading to the evacuation of both buildings.

“The structural collapse has affected the roof it appears from end-to-end,” he said.

Residents have been evacuated after the roof of their unit block in southwest Sydney collapsed. Picture: 7News

“The internals of that roof structure have collapsed into the top floor of those units.”

While the cause of the collapse will be investigated, Superintendent Sigmund said there was information to suggest the roof may have already been damaged.

“The roof had some existing tarps on it which suggested the roof had existing damaged,” he said.

“I am not aware of the extent of that, but it is potentially a contributing factor to the collapse.”

Local council engineers and police remained on-site on Wednesday to ensure the integrity of the building and that there would be no further collapse.

Superintendent Sigmund warned it could still be sometime before residents were allowed back inside “due to the extent of the damage”.

Residents said they had raised concerns about the roof before Wednesday’s collapse at a Cabramatta unit block. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Residents are not being allowed back into the Cabramatta unit block after its roof collapsed. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed police were at the scene and said two people had been treated for minor injuries, believed to be dust inhalation.

The spokesperson said 13 residents of the damaged unit block had been displaced by the collapse and were unable to return, with alternative accommodation arrange for them.

Photos of the property showed a silver, reflective sheeting placed over sections of the roof structure.