Fire on Macquarie Street: A Scaffolding Blaze That Turned the City into a Sizzling Arena
In the wee hours of Thursday morning, when the city’s commuters were still finding their way to caffeine stores, a fire erupted on the scaffolding surrounding a Sydney office building, turning a routine rush hour into an emergency drama.
The Heatwave Begins
According to lawyer Doug Thompson, who happened to be on the street with a camera, “The flames really started to leap.”
Within minutes the orange inferno shot up six stories, devouring the plastic sheeting that wrapped the framework. Photos and videos that flooded social media showed the blaze looking to win a championship in ‘maximum heat’.
Who Was Involved?
- Dozens of fire trucks raced to the scene.
- Police cleared the block to keep the streets tidy for the emergency hustle.
- Approx. 20 crew members were to safely self‑evacuated.
- One person suffered smoke inhalation and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Why the Scaffold Was Up There
The building was in the process of being renovated. The cladding that surrounded it was flagged as a fire hazard, so the scaffolding was erected to remove the outer shell. The cladding went missing last week, but the scaffolds left a trap‑door for fire.
Firefighters Finish Strong
Within an hour, the fire department declared victory: “The fire is out.”
Fire and Rescue NSW’s spokesperson, Norman Buckley, announced that the cause was still under investigation—because sometimes the best part of a story is the mystery that follows.
What Happens Next?
While firefighting crews work the perimeter and keep our streets safe, the cladding replacement is being rechecked to make sure such sparks never again ignite a city block.
