Surry Hills inferno: Deodorant bomb social media trend potential cause

Investigators will consider whether a dangerous social media craze is linked to one of the largest fires in Sydney’s CBD that gutted a vacant building.

The blaze tore through the Randle St building in Surry Hills on Thursday night, with an exclusion zone remaining in place almost a week later as demolition works begin.

The arson squad is reportedly investigating if a “deodorant bomb” was the cause of the fire, 2GB host Ben Fordham reported on Wednesday morning.

The “bomb” has become a viral trend picked up by teenagers across the globe and is now being considered as a potential cause of the fire.

The stunt, which involves an aerosol deodorant can, has resulted in life-altering injuries, including one incident in January when a Scottish schoolboy was permanently blinded in one eye after a can exploded in a playground.

“It doesn’t come from police, it comes from one of the kids involved,” Fordham said.

Fordham has reported the information to police and claimed that it was one of multiple lines of inquiry being investigated by the arson squad.

“The deodorant bomb is dangerous enough but when you add a flame to the deodorant bomb, you can only imagine the result,” Fordham said.

“It sprays fire around the place and there is a chance that it will blow up.”

Walls crash down as demolition begins

An excavator pushed down the remaining walls on Wednesday afternoon, with dramatic photographs showing the scale of the damage.

A mountain of bricks and debris is piling up on the inner-city street, with demolition crews working to clear the waste as quickly as possible so that investigators can access the site.

Meanwhile, firefighters were smashing windows in surrounding buildings ahead of further demolition.

Once the site is cleared, cadaver dogs will be sent into the site to search for anyone who may have been inside the building when it went up in flames.

At least 13 rough sleepers who are known to frequent the building have been accounted for since the incident, with the search set to confirm whether any others were inside at the time.

Forensic search imaging will also be used at the scene as the site remains too unsafe for firefighters to enter.

Four teens speak to police

Four young people have now come forward to police in relation to the incident and most are assisting police with their investigations.

A fourth teen identified themselves to police on Monday night but has informed police through their legal representative they will not provide an interview or statement.

“Last night we received advice from a fourth young person’s legal representative that they will not be providing a version by way of interview or statement,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“Available evidence will now be assessed in relation to further action.”

Two 13-year-olds came forward in the days after the blaze, with a third person, aged 12, coming forward on Saturday.

None of the young people spoken to by police have been charged.

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