Following a devastating fire that engulfed a seven-storey heritage building in central Sydney, two 13-year-old boys have voluntarily surrendered to the police.
The inferno, which broke out on Thursday afternoon, necessitated the efforts of approximately 100 firefighters to bring it under control.
Law enforcement authorities suspect the involvement of other teenagers in the incident and have appealed for their cooperation, urging them to come forward.
While 13 of the 15 individuals who were homeless and sheltering in the building have been located, the blaze has resulted in the displacement of around 70 residents from nearby structures.
As a precautionary measure, an exclusion zone is expected to remain in effect for seven days.
The police have confirmed that the two teenagers who turned themselves in are currently assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Fire and Rescue New South Wales said the fire reached a “10th” alarm status on Thursday – the most severe level.
The building was heritage-listed and formerly home to the Henderson Hat factory. It had sat vacant for many years, but there were plans to redevelop it into a hotel.
After it caught fire, a thick column of smoke could be seen across Sydney. Video showed the top level of the building falling on to the nearby street.
Fire and Rescue NSW said they were able to contain the fire to prevent damage to nearby residential blocks.
The organisation also said investigations into the cause of the blaze had been taken over by NSW Police Arson Squad.
The building is located in inner-city Sydney, across the road from the city’s central station.
Transport to and from the central area had to be stopped on Thursday as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.