Cadaver dogs to search Surry Hills fire site for human remains
Authorities are preparing to enter a demolished Surry Hills building that was gutted in a large fire last month to search for human remains.
Specialist forensic officers and a cadaver detection dog will enter the building to further investigate how the fire started, and if anyone was killed in the fire.
There are 15 homeless people who were known to "sleep rough" in and around the area.
READ MORE: Kathleen Folbigg pardoned after 20 years in jail
There are 15 homeless people who were known to "sleep rough" in and around the building still unaccounted for. 9News
The damaged building has been mostly demolished in a process that took five days, according to New South Wales Police. Nine
Police said there are unconfirmed sightings of people inside the building when the fire broke out.
"I hope we don't find any [deceased people], but it is possible," Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said while addressing the media.
Arbinja also confirmed that a fire accelerant was used.
Four boys have come forward to police aged between 12 and 13, however no charges will be laid until a full search of the building has been completed by a cadaver dog.
Police estimate the process will take three days.
The damaged building has been mostly demolished in a process that took five days, according to New South Wales Police.
READ MORE: Converted Sydney mansion achieves highest weekend auction sale in Australia
Arbinja also confirmed that a fire accelerant was used. Nine
Around 130 residents across three buildings were impacted by the Surry Hills fire, with 80 still displaced from their homes.
Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said it will take three to four more weeks to get residents back into an apartment complex on Randle Street while residents on Chalmers Street were allowed back into their apartments this week.
"We need to make sure that these buildings are safe before people can go back in," Fileman said as he addressed the media.
"We want them back in as soon as we can, we are working as quickly and safely as we possibly can."
Residents are in daily communication with welfare officers and a recovery team, according to New South Wales police.
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
‘Unimaginable loss’: Two children killed in horror crash on the way home from school
Talia and Ebony were physically abused by their mother. Then she was made into a TV star
Blanche d’Alpuget, writer and widow of Bob Hawke, dies aged 82
Justine lost her brother suddenly. Then an unexpected email arrived
