Tire factory fire in western Sydney

ERJ staff report (BC)

Sydney, Australia - Firefighters were called to a blaze in a tire storage facility at Villawood, in the western suburbs of Sydney, just after midnight on 1 January, reports ABC.

Superintendent Paul Bailey says it is not clear what caused the fire, which has destroyed the building.

He says there was no threat to neighbouring properties, but that the tyres inside had made the firefighting task a challenge.

"Rubber burns very fiercely with a very thick, acrid and toxic moke," he said.

"We urged residents to stay well clear."