Residents asked to evacuate after chemical plant fire

Emergency services have responded after a “major hazmat incident” had threatened to collapse a tower in eastern Sydney.

Businesses and homes were evacuated after a fire at a chemical plant threatened to collapse a cooling tower, triggering fears of a “a significant fire and explosion.”

Significant structural damage to the timber reinforcing the cooling tower sparked concerns the tower itself could collapse and cause a larger explosion.

“If it had given way, the structure would have likely fallen onto six trailers, each storing 1700 cubic metres of potentially-explosive hydrogen,” Fire and Rescue NSW said.

“If the tower did collapse on these hydrogen tanks we could be talking about a significant fire and explosion ... in the area.”

Firefighters rigged a tractor to each trailer and relocated them to a safe location one by one to remove the explosion risk, which was completed by late afternoon.

Local businesses and homes were advised to evacuate during the operation.

Flames were seen shooting from the top of the tower during a controlled burnoff. Picture: Twitter

Emergency services were called to the chemical plant in Banksmeadow today. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brendan Read

Emergency services were called to the Qenos manufacturing plant in Denison St, Banksmeadow at 6.15am on Tuesday after reports of a fault in the cooling tower.

Staff at the plant had already enacted the emergency shutdown procedures, undertaking a controlled burn which resulted in flames about 50m high coming from the exhaust stacks.

After carefully assessing the situation, firefighters determined the on-site technicians could manage the fire in line with their normal operating procedures.

But FRNSW was called back to the scene a couple of hours later after staff noticed structural issues with the tower.

Flames destroyed parts of the chemical manufacturing plant but there is no longer an explosion risk.

Firefighters were concerned the fire would cause the tower to collapse on top of six trailers containing potentially-explosive hydrogen.

“The operation took just under an hour-and-a-half to complete, with the final trailer removed just before 4pm,” the spokesman said.

Though there is now no risk of an explosion, a small exclusion zone remains around the tower and plant with the tower still threatening to collapse.

A failure in a water pipe is thought to have caused the damage to the wood surrounding the cooling tower.

Residents in Banksmeadow were issued a precautionary evacuation order after the fire started.

Residents are allowed to return to homes and businesses in the area. Picture: 7 News

At about 6.15am on Tuesday, emergency services were called to a manufacturing plant on Denison St in Banksmeadow after reportsof a fault in the cooling tower. Picture: 7 News

Banksmeadow on fire! pic.twitter.com/YsoqMFpryF

— ADAY (@AlexDay96) February 27, 2023

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The top of the tower was on fire. Picture: Twitter

FRNSW is still at the scene. Picture: Twitter

FRNSW was joined by local fire crews, a hazmat team and technical rescue experts specialising in structural damage as well as drones.

NSW Police, NSW Ambulance as well as the NSW Environment Protection Authority, SafeWork and Transport for NSW were also involved.

In a “precautionary measure”, residents and local traffic within 800m of the tower were asked to evacuate.

Don't see that every day. 2GB announced that Fire Department are now on scene and its merely a "controlled burn", at Holloway St. Banksmeadow (Sydney). "No cause for alarm", they say. Still, I filmed from *behind* car rather than in front of it. You just never know... pic.twitter.com/3r1LJI6JLo

— Andrew Magee (@AndrewM72031300) February 27, 2023

Homes and businesses along Denison St, Stephen Rd and Wentworth Ave were the most affected.

Fire and Rescue NSW attended the scene with hazmat teams. Picture: FRNSW

Originally published as Residents asked to evacuate after chemical plant fire