Dozens of firefighters are battling to contain a giant blaze at a paper mill in Sydney‘s east, with people urged to avoid the area.
Emergency responders raced to the Opal Paper Mill on Botany Road in Matraville shortly after 1pm on Friday.
More 80 firefighters remain at the scene trying to extinguish the blaze, which was fuelled by strong winds.
The fire has spread to at least 10 cars in the industrial complex.
Police are at the scene evacuating nearby businesses and homes.
‘As emergency services work to contain the blaze, police are urging people to avoid the area due to the large smoke,’ a NSW police spokesperson said.
‘Motorists are also urged to avoid the area as localised traffic diversion are in place.’
Aerial photos showed the scene blanketed in huge clouds of black smoke.
Shocked locals have described the scenes as frighting
‘It was a picture perfect day then all of a sudden there was black smoke everywhere and very loud bangs,’ one resident told the Daily Telegraph.
‘I couldn’t see my garage from my back door from the smoke.’
More to come.
Sydneysiders are urged to avoid the area
