- Police declare a crime scene
- Officers have closed the street
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Rescuers have ramped up the desperate search for a woman feared to be stuck underneath a pile of rubble after a townhouse was destroyed in an explosion.
The blast occurred on the second level of the property on Waikanda Crescent, in Whalan, in Sydney‘s west, with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) called just before 1pm on Saturday.
The explosion struck the second level of the townhouse causing the dwelling to collapse.
Firefighters heard ‘taps’ and noises coming from underneath the rubble which they believe is a sign the woman is still alive.
On Sunday, Police announced that the search area is now a crime scene and officers have closed off the street.
Rescuers have ramped up the desperate search for a woman feared to be stuck underneath a pile of rubble after a townhouse was destroyed in an explosion (pictured)
There has since been an increased police presence in the area as dozens of officers arrived at the scene around 7.30am.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for comment.
Paramedics treated five people after they suffered injuries following the collapse of the building.
Emergency services braved the heavy rain and cold and worked overnight in a bid to find the woman trapped underneath the debris.
The property, has been reduced to a pile of rubble with the sound of the explosion heard several kilometres away.
Police (pictured officers at the scene on Saturday) announced that the search area is now a crime scene and officers have closed off the street
The explosion struck the second level of the townhouse causing the dwelling to collapse (pictured)
On Saturday, emergency services responded to a call about an explosion having ‘blown out’ a level of the unit.
Windows were smashed in the explosion and witnesses could be heard screaming.
A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW told Daily Mail Australia on Saturday that one person was unaccounted for and five residents were evacuated from the building.
Firefighters said they have heard ‘taps and noises’ from beneath the rubble, indicating ‘there is still life underneath’.
Two women were rescued from the collapsed structure’s rubble – a woman in her 60s and another woman in her 70s who uses a wheelchair.
Another 12 people from surrounding houses were evacuated.
Police closed off access to the street and an increased police presence has been seen in the area since 7.30am on Sunday (pictured police officers at the scene on Saturday)
Emergency services (pictured) braved the heavy rain and cold and worked overnight in a bid to find the woman trapped underneath the debris
Ambulance NSW told Daily Mail Australia five people were taken to hospital after the blast – three transported to Mount Druitt Hospital and another three to Hawkesbury District District Health Service. Their current conditions are unknown.
Another person was treated at the scene.
Fire and Rescue, ambulances, HAZMAT, police, gas and energy personnel were able to enter the building on Saturday afternoon only after gas was cut to the area.
FRNSW teams trained in Urban Search and Rescue operations using concrete-cutters to clear the debris recovered a small dog from the units which is being cared for at the scene.
The house had ‘major damage’, with a neighbouring home also impacted, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.
Fire and Rescue NSW urged the public to stay away from the building.
More to come.