FIREFIGHTERS who specialise in structural collapse have used laser monitoring equipment to assess and monitor the unstable front wall of a building in Tighes Hill.
Crews responded to reports of a building threatening to collapse in Elizabeth Street just before 8:30am on Friday morning after it developed large cracks in the front wall.
Firefighters have shut off the gas and electricity supply and all construction workers and residents inside have been evacuated.
Luckily nobody was injured.
Construction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers were evacuated from a Tighes Hill building after a large crack developed on the front wall. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina NeilConstruction workers have been evacuated from the job site at Tighes Hill. Picture by Marina Neil
An exclusion zone has been established to prevent the public from entering the area, with Elizabeth Street closed between Maitland Road and Union Street.
A multi-agency command centre has been set up to assess the scene while continuing to monitor the condition of the wall.
It's not known yet when evacuated residents will be able to return to their homes.
Earlier
FIREFIGHTERS and police are at the scene of a renovation rescue after a large crack developed in the front wall of a Tighes Hill building.
A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said a tech rescue team was called to the Elizabeth Street address this morning to evacuate construction workers and make sure the building is safe.
"There is a concern as the front wall has developed a large crack so we're working with police, contractors and engineers to render it safe," he said.
"There's only so much we can do, everyone has been evacuated and we're working with the council, owners, builders and police on scene."
At least four Fire and Rescue NSW crews are assessing the building alongside the police.
It's uncertain at this stage what caused the crack to develop, but the building was undergoing renovations at the time.
All workers have since been evacuated from the building while emergency services ensure it is structurally secure.
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