Fire broke out at 8.20am (AEST) in a single level factory, at Pattys Place, Penrith, that contained packaging material and telecommunications equipment. A 3rd Alarm was called by the first appliance on scene. It was subsequently upgraded to 4th and 5th Alarms in short amount of time. A large amount of toxic smoke was sent into the air.
Eighty firefighters of the New South Wales Fire Brigades battled the blaze. 8 pumpers, 1 Rescue, 2 Water Tankers, 1 Aerial Pumper, 1 Ladder Platform, 1 BA/Hazmat tender, 1 CO2 tender and an Incident Control Vehicle attended. 2 Operational Commanders, 1 Zone Commander and 1 Regional Commander were the command elements in attendance.
One firefighter sustained minor burns to his hands and was treated at the scene. The cause of the fire is unknown. Investigators from NSWFB FIRU (Fire Investigation and Research Unit) will begin operations as soon as possible.
