Rockdale warehouse fire blankets Sydney suburbs in toxic smoke

A massive warehouse fire has blanketed parts of Sydney in toxic smoke with locals told to keep their windows and doors closed.

Some 20 fire trucks and 100 firefighters were dispatched to fight the blaze after it broke out on Lindsay Street in Rockdale at 8.29am on Saturday.

The complex is used to transfer rubbish and the fire is sending plumes of toxic smoke across the suburbs heading towards Sydney Airport. 

Some 16 fire trucks and more than 60 firefighters were dispatched to fight the blaze after it broke out on Lindsay Street in Rockdale at 8.29am on Saturday

NSW Fire and Rescue issued an urgent alert advising locals to stay indoors, close their windows, doors, vents, and to keep their air conditioning off

‘We have a fire burning in a warehouse approximately 100 metres by 150 metres,’ NSW Fire and Rescue superintendent Adam Dewberry said. 

Emergency services have closed nearby roads and advised residents to steer clear of Bat street, West Botany Street and President Avenue. 

NSW Fire and Rescue sent an urgent text to locals advising them to stay indoors, close their windows, doors, vents, and to keep their air conditioning off. 

The huge pillar of dangerous smoke was seen drifting towards nearby Sydney Airport. 

The plume of smoke is so big that passengers waiting in the terminals have been able to spot it in the distance.

‘Firefighters attending the scene are working to pull rubbish apart and extinguish it,’ a Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said.

‘There have been no injuries, but local evacuations from the worksite are our main concern.’

Firefighters are expected to be battling the blaze for the next four to six hours.

Nearby local businesses, including a Fitness First gym, have been forced to close. 

The complex is used to transfer rubbish and the fire is sending plumes of toxic smoke across the suburbs heading towards Sydney Airport

Nearby local businesses, including a Fitness First gym, have been forced to close