NSW: 14 people taken to hospital after Sydney fire

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-1999
NSW: 14 people taken to hospital after Sydney fire

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - Residents were evacuated and 14 people were rushed to hospital
suffering smoke inhalation after fire broke out beneath a unit complex in southern Sydney this
morning.

Fire brigades said three cars beneath the Cronulla building had been engulfed by flames
when crews arrived at the scene shortly after 3am.

Rescuers evacuated the three-storey building, while ambulance officers made several trips
with residents requiring medical attention to Sutherland Hospital.

"We had six cars there, but had to make return trips to get people to hospital for
treatment," an ambulance spokesman said.

"One person also suffered a back injury, possibly as a result of last night's incident.

"Everyone else was suffering from smoke-inhalation," he said.

A Fire Brigade spokesman said the fire had caused the Ocean Street building to become
"smoke logged".

Fire-fighters from Sutherland, Cronulla and Miranda extinguished the blaze within an hour,
but not before the cars were destroyed in the blaze.

Fire Brigade spokesman Joe Leonie said the fire was being treated as suspicious.

"The fire investigation squad is working with police to determine the cause," he said.

AAP ls/adh

KEYWORD: FIRE

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