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Bondi Junction apartments explode after suspected gas leak
- Title
- Bondi Junction apartments explode after suspected gas leak
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 30 March 2009 - Two men were seriously injured after a suspected gas explosion in a utility area near the penthouse of an apartment block in Bondi Junction.
At 12.50pm around one thousand people were evacuated from a shopping centre, with another 200 evacuated from the residential apartments above.
The penthouse apartment was blown apart, with bricks and glass showering down onto the people below. Damage to the units was so extensive, a full examination may take a number of days to complete.
The building is structurally sound, however some internal walls within the apartments are not.
The emergency response was swift and major in nature. The NSW fire brigade were first to respond with police and ambulance resources soon to arrive.
Two workers, believed to be contractors, suffered serious burns and were rushed to hospital for specialised treatment.
The blast was so strong it blew in the front door...
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- Queen Mary 2 welcomed to Sydney
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 26 February 2009 - It's been two years and five days since the Queen Mary 2 sailed through spectacular Sydney harbour. At 5.00am the ship could be spotted many kilometres off shore and there were people eager to greet the monster cruiser.
The ship made its way through the heads with the protection of NSW marine services. It sailed into the centre of the harbour so all the passengers on board could take photos of their arrival. Many were still dressed in their sleeping attire as they stood at their private balconies.
The ship turned on a dime and made its way to the naval yard to dock. The Cunard liner is so large that the Sydney international shipping port can not physically accommodate it.
Traffic is once again expected to be chaos around the Woolloomooloo area with tens of thousands expected to visit the area. The RTA have put in special event clearways in an attempt to accommodate the rush to see the spectacle.
- Title
- Shark attack in Bondi Beach
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 13 February 2009 - It's been over 80 years since the last shark attack in Bondi's world famous beach, however at around 7.30pm on the 12 February, 2009 a 33 year old male from the nearby suburb of Dover Heights was targeted by an unknown species of shark.
There was a flurry of surfers and people strolling the beach that came to assist.
One witness who was near the male when he was attacked immediately wrapped the victim's arm with a Boogie Board cord to prevent serious blood loss. The male's hand was severed with only a small amount of skin keeping the body part attached.
The quick actions of the nearby surfer and doctor that were strolling the beach no doubt saved the life of the male.
A large group of surfers all formed together to stretcher the male out on to the main road waiting for the ambulance and intensive care units to take over the medical treatment.
The quick thinking of all the people involved are to be commended o...
- Title
- Bondi Junction power substation explodes after suspicious fire attack
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 18 December 2008 - Around 3.00am a fire in a power substation and council caravan in Bondi Junction caused the evacuation of around 20 residents and blacked out approximately 400 square metres of Bondi Junction.
Upon the arrival of Woollahra and Randwick Fire stations the crews were confronted with a large electrical blaze also involving a nearby caravan. Both structures were totally involved in flames.
Multiple electrical explosions occurred during the incident, sending police and on-lookers running for cover.
It took over 30 minutes to control the blaze also utilising the assistance of the CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Hazmat Fire unit.
At this stage it's unclear how the fire started, however a crime scene has been established. The fire investigation and research unit, "FIRU" has been called to examine the scene and assist with the investigation.
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- Male charged with arson after Kings Cross apartment fire
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 14 December 2008 - At 6.20pm a six storey apartment on Darlinghurst Rd, in the heart of Kings Cross was targeted by an apparent arsonist. Reports were received that a number of fires were deliberately lit over multiple levels with some blocking the fire escapes.
The NSW Fire Brigade responded and soon after called a "red message" requiring urgent assistance after discovering multiple fire points. Secondary appliances from Redfern, City of Sydney as well as the Ladder Platform from Darlinghurst rapidly responded to the urgent call for backup.
The fires were quickly brought under control with no major damage being done to the building.
A short time later, witnesses pointed out a suspect who ran from the building at the time of the blaze. Police tracked this male down and arrested him at local restaurant. He was taken to Kings Cross Police Station.
Four charges of malicious damage by fire have been laid. He has been refused bail...
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- Fire in Sydney restaurant brings City to a halt
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 28 November 2008 - A fire has ripped through the restaurant of a fast food outlet on the corner of George St and Liverpool St in Sydney. Over 30 fire-fighters fought the blaze and a 4th Alarm structure fire was declared by the NSW Fire Brigade.
Appliances across the Sydney Metro area urgently supported the city crews. A Ladder Platform Unit was setup in the middle of the intersection causing traffic chaos.
Police and RTA initiated multiple road closures and diversions.
- Title
- Fisherman dies after falling from Bondi rocks
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 24 November 2008 - A 76 year old male has died this morning after reports were received that he had fallen off a cliff. The NSW Ambulance rescue helicopter, police rescue and other support services quickly attended the scene, however it was too late to save the fisherman's life.
The male's body was winched into the rescue helicopter and transported to Glebe Morgue by ambulance.
Bondi Detectives attended the scene and took statements from witnesses.
This cliff face and lower rock formations are very popular with Fishermen and this was not the first time someone has lost their lives in this area.
- Title
- Brazen Robbery in Double Bay Shopping District
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 10 October 2008 - Police are investigating an armed robbery in Double Bay this afternoon.
About 5:30pm police were called to a bank on New South Head Rd in relation to an armed robbery.
Police have been told that four men, who were all wearing balaclavas at the time of the incident, smashed the front glass doors of the bank with sledge hammers and made their way inside.
The men have then allegedly threatened staff, who were still inside the bank at the time, and made demands before fleeing the scene with an amount of cash.
No persons were injured during the incident.
Witnesses have told police that the men left the scene in a black Porsche Cayenne 4WD, last seen travelling west along New South Head Road. The vehicle is believed to have no registration plate at the front of the vehicle and a black and white NSW registration plate on the rear of the vehicle.
Police have attended and a crime scene has been esta...
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- Explosives located in Eastern Suburbs apartment in Sydney
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 27th September 2008 - Police have charged a man "Andre Nord" after the discovery of explosives and chemicals inside a Woollahra unit. NSW Fire Brigade personnel attended a block of flats on Edgecliff Road about 7am on the 27th September after reports a fourth floor unit was alight.
A 54-year-old man was pulled from the unit by fire fighters, who quickly extinguished the blaze. Police from Rose Bay Local Area Command were alerted after fire personnel discovered chemical materials and explosive devices inside the premises.
They evacuated the immediate area and spent the day examining the scene.
The man was released from St Vincent's Hospital last night and taken to Kings Cross Police Station. He was charged with the possession of explosives/articles with intent to destroy.
Meanwhile, the chemicals and devices were safely taken from the scene and stored by officers from the Rescue and Bomb Squad. Residents were allowed to return ...
- Title
- Sydney ATM blown up in daring raid
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 23rd September 2008 - The suburb of Turramurra was rocked by an explosion around 1:00am on Tuesday Morning. It is alleged that a group of thieves blew up an ATM in a local shopping district on the corner of Kissing Point Rd & Aluba Rd.
The explosion was so strong it blew a hole in the ceiling of the shop as well as scattering debris up to 100 metres across the carpark and surrounding streets.
The shop has been closed due to the extensive internal damage. NSW Police Forensics have attended and investigations are well under way. Witnesses have been urged to call crime stoppers if they saw anything suspicious prior to the blast.
- Title
- Diver rescued off Clovelly beach
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 30th August 2008 - A male diver aged in his 50's was rescued by MRU Ambulance helicopter after suffering a medical episode.
He was airlifted to North Shore hospital after being pulled from the ocean and onto the rocks near Clovelly.
Around 100 residents and visitors to the area watched on as the dramatic rescue operation took place.
- Title
- Large factory fire in Sydney with fears of explosion
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 20th August 2008 - A large factory in Homebush Bay containing thousands of litres of fuel and explosives was found well alight when owners returned to their property in the late evening.
NSW Fire brigade took no chances after it was confirmed that explosives and vast amounts of highly flammable liquid were stored onsite.
The structure fire reached a 6th Alarm response which entails approximately 25 fire brigade appliances with over 100 crew.
The fire crews were successful with their attack and managed to save the building from blowing up. Investigations are underway into the cause of the blaze.
Superintendent Warwick Isemonger briefed FreeNews in detail about the incident.
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- Fire destroys building at University of NSW in Kensington
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- Sunday, 29 August 2010 - NSW Fire Brigades responded to a 6th alarm structure fire at the G2 Building at the University of NSW on Anzac Parade in Kensington.
Around 80 fire-fighters battled the blaze with multiple hand lines and three aerial-platform appliances.
Thick black smoke could be seen across Sydney. Police shut down the arterial road in both directions causing major logistical and traffic control nightmares for the public and government controlled transportation.
Asbestos has been discovered in the building and fire services are monitoring the quality of the air and the direction of the smoke plume.
Quick thinking by fire commanders and crews on scene avoided the risk of a major explosion as they found a number of gas and acetylene cylinders.
Ambulance services are on scene and on standby in a supporting role. There were no injuries.
Hundreds were evacuated from the National Institute of Dramatic Ar...
- Title
- Police shoot two males during a robbery at Bankstown
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 23 November 2010 - At around 8.40pm Police shot dead one male and seriously injured another during a robbery that took place at the High Flyer Hotel in Bankstown.
A/Assistant Commissioner Geoff Beresford said that 5 shots were fired at two armed offenders.
The officers involved in the shooting were tasked to the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad. Information was received that the hotel may have been at risk and the specialist police made their way to the hotel.
Upon arrival, a robbery was in progress and the officers took immediate action. Police made efforts to save the males life, however ambulance crews declared him deceased on scene. The other male was transported to Liverpool Hospital.
A Critical Incident Investigation Team involving detectives from the Homicide Squad has been established to investigate the incident.
A number of patrons attending the hotel witnessed the robbery and shooting. One was treated f...
- Title
- Police pursuit ends with lingerie shop being destroyed in Rose Bay
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- 29 November 2010 - Two males have been arrested after a police pursuit in Sydney's eastern suburbs overnight.
At approximately midnight a white sedan was being pursued through the streets of Rose Bay. It's believed the driver of the vehicle lost control of the car and plowed into the Hetty Belle Lingerie shop on New South Head Rd, Rose Bay.
A number of witnesses saw and heard the pursuit with all estimating speeds well in excess of 100km/h. One witness said 15 police cars were involved in the chase.
One offender was arrested nearby, whilst another evaded capture. The police air wing co-ordinated its search efforts along with patrols and the dog squad. After some 40 minutes it's understood a second offender was located and arrested.
The owner of the store, Suzanne Allen said that she had just bought in all the Christmas stock and it had all been covered in shattered glass. She commented that she was determined to re-open later ...
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- Blackhawk helicopters storm a building in Rosebery during terrorist training operation
- Date posted
- 14 years ago
- Description
- The Australian Defence Force ran a series of operations on the 30th November in Rosebery, Sydney, Australia. At around 9.00pm, two Blackhawks swooped into position above a disused commercial building.