Residents from over 150 apartments of a 392 apartment residential building at Sydney Olympic Park remain evacuated from their homes after safety fears were raised when an internal support wall failed earlier today., NSW Police say
About 2.45pm (24 December 2018) concerns were raised about a wall in a building on Brushbox Street. Police and Fire & Rescue NSW officers arrived a short time later and deemed the area unsafe. As a precaution, the affected building and surrounding buildings were evacuated.
Fire & Rescue NSW Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) officers and specialist engineers have worked with the building designers and building managers throughout the day and into the night to determine the integrity and safety of the affected floors.
"This is a large building and it’s critical the safety of the residents comes first," said NSW Police Force Acting Assistant Commissioner Julie Boon. "Each affected floor is being assessed by engineers before we can determine if and when people can go back into their homes.
"It’s been a particularly frustrating time for residents and we’re very aware they are keen to go home the night before Christmas. Before that happens, police and emergency services need the building designers and engineers to be confident the building is safe to re-enter."
A temporary shelter has been established at the nearby Royal Agricultural Society building by NSW welfare and emergency services while residents wait for the ‘all clear’.
"It will be a long night for these residents," said A/g Assistant Commissioner Boon. "Police and emergency services are also working with the building managers to put contingencies into place for the affected residents, if needed. Our aim is to ensure the safety of everyone involved before allowing residents to return."
It is expected they operation will continue into the early morning with residents being kept updated by the building managers and emergency services.
Road closures have been lifted, however, some exclusion zones around the building remain in place.
