Firefighters have successfully contained a major blaze at Cleanaway Liquid Waste Services, a commercial recycling plant located on Christie Street, St Marys, New South Wales. The incident, which occurred just after 2:00 PM on February 4, 2025, drew the response of over 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). Emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene after receiving reports of explosions and flames erupting at the facility.
According to FRNSW Assistant Commissioner Michael Morris, official containment of the fire was achieved by 6:30 PM the same day. "We have continued work throughout the night and again this morning just dealing with some minor flareups and areas continuing to smolder throughout the site," Morris stated. The fire posed numerous challenges due to the unpredictable nature of various hazardous materials on site.
"This was an extremely dangerous and challenging fire to contain. This site contained a whole range of hazardous materials of all the classes..." Morris emphasized. The unpredictable reactions of these chemicals led to substantial explosions, making the firefighting effort particularly precarious.
Throughout the incident, FRNSW utilized drone technology to monitor the situation effectively. Drones provided valuable assistance by enhancing operational awareness and tracking hazardous runoff, keeping both firefighters and nearby residents informed about safety measures and environmental impacts. Morris noted, "[The drone technology] also enabled us... to track and monitor where the runoff has gone... to provide assurance to both the EPA and the community."
Working closely with the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and ComCare, FRNSW implemented strategies to mitigate risks associated with chemical runoff resulting from firefighting efforts. They successfully contained runoff with the deployment of booms, reflecting their commitment to safeguarding the environment during this challenging incident.
The rapid response also allowed for the successful evacuation of staff from Cleanaway. Morris remarked on the fortunate circumstances surrounding this as the fire appeared to have begun on the premises' exterior. "We were very fortunate... all the workers from the site were able to rapidly evacuate," he explained. Fortunately, there were no reported serious injuries among staff, with two firefighters treated for heat stress during the operation.
But the blaze necessitated the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses as firefighters urged local residents to keep their windows shut. "We have gas detection equipment spread throughout the site... to make sure it's safe for us to continue to operate," Morris added, reflecting the continual assessment of safety measures.
The scale of the fire resulted not only in significant operational challenges but also led to the closure of the Cleanaway facility for the time being. Cleanaway Waste Management released a statement reporting declining share prices, indicating the financial impact this incident could have for the organization, alongside operational disruptions as the site remains under the control of emergency authorities.
Meanwhile, cleanup operations are being coordinated, as Cleanaway works with regulatory bodies on restoration efforts and aims to find alternative processing facilities for materials impacted by the closure. Company representatives have promised updates on both their response to the fire and possible financial ramifications during their next scheduled communication on February 19, 2025.
FRNSW fire investigators are currently focused on determining the fire's precise origin and cause. The unpredictable mixture of hazardous substances within the facility complicates this process. The situation continues to evolve as officials work diligently to assess damages and safeguard the public and environment.
With thorough investigations underway, the recovery from this significant incident will be closely monitored by both emergency services and the community. Further developments will be shared as more information becomes available.