Two teenagers have turned themselves in to the police after a disused building caught fire in Sydney, Australia. The blaze, which occurred on Thursday evening, caused significant structural damage to the Central Sydney building. While no members of the public were injured, 15 rough sleepers had been staying in the building before it caught fire. Police have been in contact with 13 of the individuals, and no injuries have been reported.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan confirmed that the two 13-year-olds who handed themselves in on Thursday evening are "assisting police with inquiries". Dunstan is also encouraging three or four other young individuals who were present during the fire to come forward with their parents and provide their account of events.
Firefighters battled the blaze throughout Thursday night, and Deputy Commissioner Fire and Rescue NSW, Jeremy Fewtrell, confirmed on Friday that they were continuing to soak down any hotspots and carry out further extinguishing. Engineers are currently assessing the building to determine the integrity of the burned-out structure.
The incident highlights the dangers of rough sleeping for individuals in the community, who often have no other option but to stay in disused or abandoned buildings. Communities and organizations should work to provide affordable and safe housing options for all individuals, regardless of income or background, to prevent similar incidents in the future.