Teenagers hand themselves in to police following major building fire in Sydney

Two 13-year-olds handed themselves in overnight following a ‘once-in-a-decade’ building fire in Sydney on Thursday night, with police wanting to talk with more teens.

Two 13-year-olds have handed themselves into police following a major building fire in Sydney on Thursday night.

Paul Dunstan, acting assistant commissioner for the Central Metropolitan Region, said the teenagers - who are not previously known to police - handed themselves in at Kings Cross and Paddington police stations in the “late hours of last night”.

“We are aware of reports overnight of a group of young people that were seen running from the fire scene,“ Mr Dunstan said.

“We are speaking with these young people throughout the evening and they are now assisting police with our inquiries.

“I can further confirm we are aware of a further three or four other young people who were present during the fire, we asked them to come forward with their parents and put their side of the story forward,” Mr Dunstan said.

More than 100 firefighters worked to contain the blaze on Randle Street, Surry Hills, which ignited just after 4pm, in the heritage listed building which is believed to have been vacant for 12 months.

Mr Dunstan said “up to 15 people” were sleeping rough inside the building the night before, with 13 of the 15 accounted for.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said there was a risk the building could suffer further collapse.

Roads around the site could remain closed in the coming days as authorities assess the integrity of the building and those surrounding.

“At a rough count, there is about three or four very close by buildings that have been directly impacted,” Mr Dewberry said.

A $40 million hotel development was approved for the building in 2019.

The Arson Squad is leading the investigation.

More to come