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The tin roof made it difficult to put the fire out. Picture: Bill Hearne
TWENTY residents were dramatically rescued from the top level a burning building this morning, as fire erupted in a unit block in Sydney’s west.
The three-storey residential block caught alight just before 2am, with residents caught inside.
Firefighters arrived to find residents screaming for help and managed to rescue 20 people from the balconies and windows of the top level of the apartment block.
The fire spread through the top level of the Villawood building. Picture: Bill HearneSource:News Corp Australia
Residents were rescued from the burning unit block. Picture: Bill HearneSource:News Corp Australia
Firefighters attack the blaze using aerial ladder units. Picture: Bill HearneSource:News Corp Australia
Eight were treated at the scene by paramedics and five were taken to hospital.
Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman Ian Krimmer said they had to wait for the fire to be put completely out before they could confirm everyone was accounted for.
By 6am, firefighters managed to contain the blaze.
Supt Krimmer said the tin roof made it difficult for the 120 firefighters to put out the blaze quickly.
Supt Krimmer said the cause of the fire is not yet known.
After the blaze was contained, Fire and Rescue NSW and police forensic investigators inspected the three-storey building, which is a housing commission complex.
A skylift was used to inspect its roof, which had collapsed in various places.
All the top level apartments affected by the blaze were visibly gutted.
The flames could be seen from other parts of the suburb. Picture: Bill HearneSource:News Corp Australia
Residents were treated by paramedics. Picture: Bill HearneSource:News Corp Australia
The tin roof made it difficult to put the fire out. Picture: Bill HearneSource:News Corp Australia
A neighbour, who didn’t want to be named, said he knew two victims now recovering in hospital.
“They aren’t young men, one is 64 and the other is 70,†he said.
“I saw the lot of it, I live 100m away and my place was full of smoke, I thought my place was on fire.
“It was full on, like something you see on TV.â€
Dennis Ball, 67, lives next door to the damaged apartment block.
He said firefighters knocked on his door as they were evacuating residents but he slept through it.
“I didn’t hear a thing,†Mr Ball said.
“The first I knew about it is when I turned on the TV and said ‘hang on, that’s next door’.â€
Woodville Rd was closed for hours during the fire operation.