NSW Police say no bodies have been found in the debris of the multi-storey building site destroyed by fire last month in Sydney’s inner city.
Key points:
- The May 25 fire destroyed the historic building once home to the RC Henderson factory
- The operation centre set up to organise the clean-up was stood down on Saturday
- Residents from 1-5 Randle St still have several more weeks to wait to return home
The “once in a decade” blaze broke out just after 4pm on Thursday, May 25 at the former home of the RC Henderson women’s hat factory in Surry Hills.
The historic warehouse had fallen into despair and was often used by rough sleepers.
Police believed more than a dozen people had slept there the night before the incident.
The search for human remains was initiated after two people were unaccounted for in the aftermath of the fire, with cadaver-detection dogs and forensic imaging equipment deployed at the site.
But on Saturday, the operation centre established to co-ordinate the clean-up, demolition and investigation — along with the new Strike Force Strontium — was stood down, as police confirmed that no bodies had been found.
“Crime-scene examinations concluded without finding human remains at the site of last month’s large building fire.” a police statement said.
“Strike Force Strontium detectives, specialist officers from the Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command, and a cadaver-detection dog conducted extensive investigations and examinations.
“After the remaining inquiries were completed, the site was returned to the responsibility of the owners.”
Soon after the fire, two 13-year-old boys handed themselves into police and were assisting with inquiries, along with a 12-year-old who came forward on May 27.
Police said the strike force’s investigation into the cause of the blaze was ongoing, but would not comment if they boys were still involved.
More than 140 residents from neighbouring units were displaced by the fire.
They have been allowed to return home for short periods of time to collect essential items, but those living at 38 Chalmers Street are finally back for good as of Saturday.
However, residents from 34 Chalmers Street still have at least another week away from home, while the wait is even longer for those that live on Randle Street.
“Due to significant damage caused by the collapse of the neighbouring building basement at 1-5 Randle Street, it is expected to be several weeks before those residents will be able to return,” a statement from police said.
Late last month, demolition work began at the site after extensive risk assessments by engineers and government authorities.