Arson Unit detectives are appealing for information and assistance from the community as investigations continue into the cause of the fire which destroyed two inner-city buildings.
Just after 4pm on Thursday (25 May 2023), emergency services responded to reports of a large building fire on Randle Street, Surry Hills.
More than 120 firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) used specialist appliances and equipment to contain the blaze before it engulfed other buildings nearby.
As at 2.30pm today (Saturday 27 May 2023), firefighting operations are ongoing as the site is smouldering and small fires continue to break out amongst the rubble.
The structure is unstable and on-site investigations into the cause of the fire are not currently possible.
Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad's Arson Unit have established Strike Force Strontium to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
They are being assisted by FRNSW's Fire Investigation and Research Unit.
As investigations continue, police are appealing for anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the vicinity of Randle Street in the lead up to the fire to make contact.
Detectives are particularly keen to access vision – CCTV, dash-cam, and/or mobile phone – depicting activity on Randle Street between 2.45pm and 4pm on Thursday.
Vision can be uploaded online via Crime Stoppers at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Business owners or managers whose property is within the exclusion zone and believe they have CCTV should contact Surry Hills Police Station.
Anyone with other information which may assist Strike Force Strontium investigators can be provided by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
