Firefighters battle to contain chemical factory blaze

Updated July 03, 2010 22:20:00

Residents and workers in Sydney's west are being advised to stay indoors due to a major fire at a chemical factory in Smithfield.

Nearly 20 fire trucks are part of the effort to put out a blaze at a chemical factory at Smithfield, west of Sydney.

An fire service spokesman says the large factory has been totally encapsulated by the blaze and it is expected to burn throughout the night.

People with health or respiratory problems near the industrial building in Britton Street are being asked to stay inside until further notice due to a large amount of smoke and other fumes.

It is unknown what sort of chemicals are involved in the fire.

A passer-by called emergency services after noticing the blaze about 6:30pm.

The fire service has confirmed no one was inside the building.

Topics: industrial-fires, disasters-and-accidents, fires, smithfield-2164, nsw

First posted July 03, 2010 20:24:00